a brief formality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief formality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or simple procedure that is required but may not hold significant importance. Example: "The meeting was just a brief formality before the official announcement of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Abu Garda's court appearance on Monday is expected to be a brief formality.

The New York Times

While each has to be registered before they can make it to the Greek mainland, the process is a brief formality rather than a lengthy investigation.

The Guardian

What looked to be a brief formality of a series has turned out to be anything but; not only have the mighty Miami Heat tumbled into a legitimate crisis, but the Celtics -– once a team far too lopsided to be considered a serious title contender -– have somehow created a stable, efficient offense out of thin air.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Margaret Cogswell kicked off the course with a briefing on the formality of Japanese culture and the complexities of exchanging meeshi, or business cards, with Japanese executives.

The New York Times

They all seem to enjoy being waited on; Ms. Anson, however, feels stifled by the formality of the day and takes a brief sabbatical in the outside world.

The New York Times

D'Antoni's announced resignation Wednesday was no more than a formality, a good man cutting his losses after a brief but short-lived romance with Linsanity.

The New York Times - Sports

Overall, the results obtained in this paper suggest that when given a brief overview of a communicative scenario, users of BSL will more than likely select similar levels of linguistic formality with which to communicate.

Functional Linguistics

So, a brief lesson.

The New York Times

(A brief staring contest).

The New Yorker

A brief summary?

The New Yorker

A brief.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or bureaucratic processes, "a brief formality" can soften the tone, suggesting the step is more procedural than substantive.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief formality" when the procedure actually carries significant weight. This can mislead your audience about the true impact of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief formality" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun 'formality'. It describes the nature of the formality, indicating its short duration or simplicity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brief formality" is grammatically correct and suitable for describing a short or simple procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates its use in various contexts, including news and media. While not extremely common, it serves to downplay the importance or duration of a required action. Consider alternatives like "a quick formality" or "a simple formality" to further emphasize the ease and speed of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick formality

Replaces "brief" with "quick", emphasizing the speed of the formality.

a short formality

Uses "short" instead of "brief", highlighting the limited duration.

a simple formality

Replaces brief with simple, highlighting the ease and straightforwardness.

a perfunctory process

Substitutes the entire phrase with a single adjective describing something done without much effort.

a pro forma step

Uses a more formal term "pro forma" to describe a step done as a matter of form.

a routine procedure

Replaces "formality" with a broader term, focusing on the habitual nature of the process.

a cursory procedure

Replaces brief with cursory to convey a superficial or hasty examination.

a nominal formality

Nominal suggests the formality exists in name only, with little practical effect.

a mere technicality

Indicates the formality is unimportant or inconsequential.

a standard procedure

Similar to routine procedure, it shifts focus to the fact it's something done by the book.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief formality" in a sentence?

You might say, "The registration process was "a brief formality" before we could start the training." This indicates the registration was quick and easy.

What's a good alternative to "a brief formality"?

Consider using "a quick procedure" or "a simple formality" if you want to emphasize the ease and speed of the action.

Is "a brief formality" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a brief formality" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but for extremely formal contexts, consider alternatives like "a pro forma step".

When should I avoid using "a brief formality"?

Avoid using "a brief formality" if the process being described is actually complex or time-consuming, as this would be misleading. Choose a more accurate descriptor in such cases.