a formal provision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formal provision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a specific rule, clause, or stipulation that is officially established, often in legal or regulatory documents. Example: "The contract includes a formal provision that outlines the responsibilities of each party involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

-          the obligation to respect the constitutional order – essentially a formal provision of declarative nature, found in most European countries, allowing action to be taken, for instance, if armed attacks are promoted against democratic institutions.

The Economist

This newspaper still thinks the best solution would be to keep the public option as a threat: to set up a formal provision in the bill whereby a public plan would be introduced in, say, five years' time if certain targets were not met.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the last count, 4,152 children deemed to have special needs had not been found a school place (up from 776 in 2010), and most of them were forced to stay at home without any formal provision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, it is a concern that the cuts in public spending that we are facing will see a reduction in formal provision of both childcare and care services for older people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Food banks, whilst providing a vital and welcoming lifeline to many, should not become a readily accepted part of that formal provision," the report says.

The Guardian

> -wrap-foot> The most prevalent form of health service provision in slum areas under study was the informal private sector, with formal provision limited to a few NGOs operating maternal, neonate and child care services, and satellite clinics providing basic primary care on specific days and hours of the week.

Health Policy and Planning

If mothers must work, their children will need care; but formal provision is often unavailable, especially for babies and in poor areas.

The Economist

Formal provision includes day nurseries, nursery schools, nursery classes, playgroups, children or family centres and childminders.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

It is also the case that changes have continued to occur in the formal provision of services for unscheduled care since 2002.

BMC Health Services Research

By comparison, respondents argued that little formal provision had been made at provincial level for providing support to nurses involved in the initiation of the ART roll-out.

BMC Health Services Research

In this study, CS is defined as "the formal provision, by approved supervisors, of relationship-based education and training that is work-focused and which manages, supports, develops and evaluates the work of colleague/s" [ 7].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formal provision" when referring to a specific, officially recognized clause or stipulation within an agreement or regulation.

Common error

Avoid using "a formal provision" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "rule" or "agreement" when formality isn't needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formal provision" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes a specific, officially established rule or clause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a formal provision" is a noun phrase used to denote an officially established rule, clause, or stipulation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, particularly in legal or regulatory contexts. While "a formal provision" isn't very common, as it is mostly found in News & Media and Science sources, it is crucial for clear and unambiguous communication in professional settings. Alternative phrases such as "an official stipulation" or "a legal clause", provide semantically similar options depending on the specific nuances you need to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an official stipulation

Replaces 'formal' with 'official' and 'provision' with 'stipulation', both implying something officially required.

a legal clause

Focuses on the legal aspect, implying the provision is part of a legal document.

a statutory requirement

Emphasizes the legal basis of the provision, highlighting its basis in law.

a regulatory condition

Highlights that the provision is part of a regulatory framework, setting out specific requirements.

an explicit arrangement

Focuses on the clarity and explicitness of the arrangement, emphasizing that it is clearly stated.

a prescribed term

Highlights that the provision is a specific term that has been prescribed or set down.

a defined rule

Simple and direct, implying the provision is a rule that has been clearly defined.

a set condition

Emphasizes that the provision is a condition that has been established or set in place.

an established guideline

Highlights that the provision is a guideline that is formally established.

a sanctioned procedure

Focuses on the fact that the provision outlines a procedure that has been officially sanctioned or approved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a formal provision" to refer to a specific rule or clause within a document, such as "The contract includes "a formal provision" outlining payment terms".

What are some alternatives to "a formal provision"?

Alternatives include "an official stipulation", "a legal clause", or "a statutory requirement", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a formal provision" or "an informal agreement"?

The choice depends on the context. "A formal provision" implies a written, legally binding clause, while "an informal agreement" suggests a less structured, non-binding understanding.

What distinguishes "a formal provision" from a general guideline?

"A formal provision" is a specific requirement with legal or official backing, while a guideline is a recommendation or best practice without the same level of enforcement.