a formal device

USAGE SUMMARY

"a formal device" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a process, structure, or system specifically designed to help achieve a particular goal or purpose. For example, "The company put a formal device in place to help increase efficiency in their production process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I use it as a formal device.

The New Yorker

Like thoughts, her pieces are reiterative; she sooner makes chronology a subject than a formal device.

The New Yorker

Today, writers including Don DeLillo and Bret Easton Ellis have similarly employed lists as a formal device in their novels.

The Guardian - Books

She may be right, but my sense of it is that they are a formal device, helping to create a sense of scale and establish the focal distance.

The New York Times

A wordless cry at the start of "This Woman's Work" became a formal device, sampled and transformed into a drift of ghostly arpeggios.

The New York Times - Arts

Other times it's been a formal device, such as the conversation in Vox or the realisation that a footnote could take the overflow which allowed me to get started with The Mezzanine.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Books written in service of the subject matter and that use any formal device they like to most fully realise it.

The Guardian - Books

If any formal device links the different compartments of Steichen's work, it is this use of light to shape volume sculpturally, as in an early portrait of Stieglitz and his daughter, in which light picks out the oval picture frame, round hat and sleeve of the girl, whose arm, a flash of white at the photograph's center, locks the image in place and defines the dark area around it.

The New York Times - Arts

Hyde (2008) also adopts this approach, though the infinite-valued semantics is considered a purely formal device and not a commitment to degrees of truth.

SEP

The pace, however, struggles to rise above ponderousness, and the film is not helped eitherby abrupt time jumps in the narrative that leave the viewer floundering for no particular reason; they're a baffling formal device in what is essentially a western reconfigured around the Wars of Religion.

The Guardian - Film

It's a neat formal device, until near the end of the book when Barr leans too hard on it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing technical or artistic elements, use "a formal device" to denote a specific technique or tool employed intentionally for a desired effect.

Common error

Avoid using "a formal device" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's best suited for analytical or technical discussions where precision is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formal device" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to identify and categorize specific techniques, methods, or elements intentionally employed within structured systems or creative works. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formal device" is a noun phrase used to describe intentional techniques or elements within structured systems. Ludwig confirms it is a correct and usable phrase, found primarily in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically sound, it is best suited for analytical or technical discussions rather than informal settings. Consider alternatives like "structured mechanism" or "codified method" to tailor your language to the specific context. When using "a formal device", ensure you are referring to a technique or tool employed intentionally for a desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a structured mechanism

Replaces "device" with "mechanism" emphasizing the organized and systematic nature of the tool.

a codified method

Substitutes "device" with "method", highlighting the systematic and rule-based application.

an established protocol

Focuses on the standardized and accepted nature of the procedure.

a conventional instrument

Emphasizes the traditional and accepted usage of the tool.

a prescribed procedure

Highlights the mandatory and regulated nature of the process.

a systematic approach

Shifts the focus to the organized and methodical nature of the strategy.

an official channel

Indicates that the method is formally recognized and authorized.

a regulated process

Highlights the control and oversight involved in the activity.

a set format

Focuses on the standardized arrangement and structure of the device.

a planned system

Emphasizes the intentional and structured organization.

FAQs

How can I use "a formal device" in a sentence?

You can use "a formal device" to describe a technique or element used intentionally within a structured context. For example, "The author employed symbolism as "a formal device" to enhance the narrative's depth."

What are some alternatives to "a formal device"?

Depending on the context, you might consider using terms like "structured mechanism", "codified method", or "established protocol".

Is it appropriate to use "a formal device" in casual writing?

While grammatically correct, "a formal device" is more suited to analytical or technical writing. In casual contexts, simpler terms might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "a formal device" from a simple tool?

"A formal device" implies intentional design and specific implementation within a structured system, whereas a simple tool might be used more broadly and without strict adherence to formal rules.