avoiding formality

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoiding formality" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a casual approach or style in communication or behavior. For example: "In our meetings, we focus on avoiding formality to encourage open dialogue." Alternative expressions include "keeping it casual" and "staying informal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In good times, commercial paper provides an easy way for companies to get short-term operating capital while avoiding formalities such as registering bond sales with the government.

The New York Times

In the last few years, so-called no-doc and low-doc mortgages — in which loan applicants can avoid formalities like pay stubs and instead simply state their income — have surged in popularity.

The New York Times

This is language that rarely calls attention to itself but almost always avoids excessive formality at one end of the continuum or jarring slanginess at the other.

The New York Times

The officials, who insisted on anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the committee's discussions, said lawmakers had hoped to avoid the formality of a negative vote on Rizzo's nomination out of respect for his long service at the intelligence agency.

The Washington Post

Economists defending some form of welfarism normally state the explicit functional form, while philosophers often avoid this formality, concentrating on developing their theories in answer to two questions: 1) the question of what has intrinsic value, and 2) the question of what actions or policies would maximize the intrinsic value.

SEP

Smaller spots, like the Amai Tea & Bake House or Sympathy for the Kettle, are good for those who would rather avoid the formalities of tea service and focus on the tea itself, with a sweet or two on the side.

The New York Times - Travel

Imagine, for example, a parent who strictly observed corporate formalities, avoided intertwining officers and directors, and adequately capitalized its subsidiary, yet provided active, daily supervision and control over hazardous waste disposal activities of the subsidiary.

Cornell University

Emmeline suggested to Richard that they avoid the legal formalities of marriage by entering into a free union; he objected on the grounds that she would be excluded from political life as an unmarried woman.

Wikipedia

His parents asked only that he see the other two women, as a formality to avoid offending their families.

The New York Times

Kitano et al. [26] recount examples where an arrow symbol has four different potential interpretations and indicate rightly that such ambiguities become a major problem as the size and complexity of the system increases, highlighting the need for formality to avoid ambiguity.

Plosone

Wooden cups and plates were used to avoid any outward displays of formality.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or scientific writing, apply this phrase to describe the simplification of theoretical models or the removal of non-essential procedural steps

Common error

Ensure that "avoiding formality" is not used to excuse a lack of preparation or necessary legal compliance. In professional contexts, formality often serves as a safeguard; bypassing it requires a clear justification that benefits all parties involved

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding formality" functions primarily as a gerund phrase or participle phrase that describes the intentional bypass of established social or procedural codes. According to Ludwig, it serves as a concise way to denote a shift toward directness and simplicity.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoiding formality" represents a deliberate choice to bypass traditional rituals or complex protocols in favor of efficiency and direct communication. While Ludwig AI shows a lack of literal exact matches for this specific singular gerund form, the high frequency of closely related variants like "avoiding formalities" or "avoid formalities" across elite sources—such as The New York Times and The Guardian—proves the concept is deeply embedded in high-level English. It is a powerful linguistic tool for writers who wish to describe a modern, pragmatic approach to both social interactions and bureaucratic processes. When using it, ensure the context supports a more relaxed tone to avoid being perceived as unprofessional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoiding formalities

Uses the plural form to refer to multiple specific procedures or rituals rather than a general state

keeping it informal

Emphasizes the maintenance of a relaxed environment throughout an interaction

waiving formalities

Often used in legal or official contexts where rules are intentionally set aside

staying casual

Shifts the focus from the act of avoidance to the resulting state of informality

skipping conventions

Refers to ignoring standard practices that are customary but not strictly required

bypassing protocol

Suggests a more active or tactical navigation around established rules and procedures

dispensing with ceremony

Implying that traditional rituals are being discarded for the sake of efficiency or directness

shunning formality

Implies a stronger, perhaps philosophical, rejection of rigid structures

minimizing ritual

Focuses on reducing the number of symbolic actions required in a process

foregoing etiquette

Suggests skipping socially expected manners or codes of conduct

FAQs

How do I use "avoiding formality" in a sentence?

You can use it as a gerund to describe a preference or action, such as "The team focused on "avoiding formality" to speed up the decision-making process".

What is the difference between "avoiding formality" and "avoiding formalities"?

The singular version refers to the general atmosphere or state, while "avoiding formalities" usually refers to skipping specific procedures like paperwork or official greetings.

What can I say instead of "avoiding formality" in a business email?

Depending on your intent, you could use "staying casual", "waiving formalities" or "keeping it informal".

Is "avoiding formality" considered professional?

Yes, it is neutral and professional when used to describe a strategy for better communication, as seen in examples from "The New York Times" and Harvard Business Review.