formal appointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal appointment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an official designation or assignment to a position or role, often in a professional or organizational context. Example: "After a thorough selection process, she received her formal appointment as the new director of the department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is not clear why the formal appointment has not taken place – the notice of intention to appoint provides protection from creditors for 10 days.

The Guardian - Business

Aides said he was waiting for his formal appointment as chairman, which is expected this week.

The New York Times

The fact is that there will be no formal appointment at Ballydoyle this year.

Independent

Still others serve as acting supervisors while they await formal appointment as a supervisor.

The New York Times

By 1904, when she received formal appointment as a lay missionary, the school had grown to include a collegiate department.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She replied, "There was no 'effective' end date, because there was never a formal appointment or title after January 20".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

VERY GOOD ATMOSPHERE -- Glowing, romantic and elegant with formal appointments, comfortable chairs and banquettes, stunning bouquets, perfect lighting.

The New York Times

At the age of 57, Hoyle retired from his formal appointments in the UK, residing first in the Lake District and then on the south coast.

The Guardian

Miliband has signalled that he will take his time finalising the lineup of his team, with no formal appointments expected until tomorrow morning.

The Guardian

While attaining Continuous Professional Development CPDD) points is an important recognition for some GPs at some points in the CPD cycle, recognition of their continuing involvement in research may also be encouraged by other measures such as invitations to presentations of the findings, formal appointments as research collaborators or as research network members [ 11, 12].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Setting a boundary and then making a formal business appointment.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formal appointment" when referring to an official designation or assignment to a position or role, particularly in professional or organizational contexts. It implies a structured and recognized process.

Common error

Avoid using "formal appointment" in casual settings or when referring to informal roles. The phrase suggests a degree of officialdom and procedure that may be inappropriate in less structured contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal appointment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the act or instance of officially assigning someone to a position. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formal appointment" is a grammatically sound noun phrase widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It denotes the official designation or assignment of someone to a position, implying a structured process. While interchangeable with alternatives like "official designation" or "official assignment", "formal appointment" carries a degree of formality suitable for official communications. To avoid misapplication, it's best reserved for contexts where official procedures are relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official designation

Focuses on the official aspect of the assignment, emphasizing the authority behind it.

formal nomination

Highlights the process of being nominated officially for a position.

official assignment

Emphasizes the act of being assigned to a role in an official capacity.

confirmed appointment

Indicates that the appointment has been officially confirmed and is no longer tentative.

gazetted appointment

Specifically refers to an appointment that has been officially published in a government gazette.

duly appointed

Stresses that the appointment was made correctly and according to procedure.

ceremonial installation

Highlights the ceremony or formal event associated with the appointment.

sanctioned appointment

Indicates that the appointment has been officially approved or sanctioned by an authority.

designated position

Focuses on the position itself and its official designation.

bestowal of office

Emphasizes the act of granting or conferring an official office or position.

FAQs

How to use "formal appointment" in a sentence?

You can use "formal appointment" to describe the official designation of someone to a position, like in the sentence, "After a rigorous selection process, she received her "formal appointment" as director".

What can I say instead of "formal appointment"?

You can use alternatives like "official designation", "confirmed appointment", or "official assignment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "formal appointment" or "informal appointment"?

Both phrases are correct, but they describe opposite scenarios. A ""formal appointment"" indicates an official and structured designation, while an "informal appointment" suggests a less structured or unofficial assignment.

What's the difference between "formal appointment" and "official appointment"?

"Formal appointment" and "official appointment" are largely synonymous and often interchangeable. However, "formal appointment" may emphasize the structured process, while "official appointment" highlights the authority behind the designation.