formal assessment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal assessment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in educational or professional contexts to refer to a structured evaluation of knowledge, skills, or performance. Example: "The students will undergo a formal assessment at the end of the semester to evaluate their understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may be assessed with a formal assessment tool such as the 'DOPyS' assessment tool.

Gut

There's a paragraph of plot and character summary, culminating in formal assessment.

The New Yorker

The report is the academy's first formal assessment of polygraph testing.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama will make a formal assessment of progress in Afghanistan in December.

The New York Times

After evaluating what's available, Artspace will give the county a formal assessment, probably within the month, Ms. Isabelle-Stark said.

The New York Times

Probably none of them would have developed to the degree they have without the formal assessment of research.

The Guardian

The United States has yet to conduct a formal assessment of the new system, now just a few months' old.

The New York Times

She said: "We already have formal assessment in the early years and the phonics check at age five.

The Guardian

But the Nov. 10 situation report was described by the officials as reflecting a more formal assessment.

The New York Times

However Fitch is not downgrading now -- instead, it plans a "formal" assessment of the rating in 2013.

The Guardian

You can appeal to the tribunal if the LEA refuses to make a formal assessment of your child's special educational needs, or refuses to issue a statement of your child's special educational needs, after making a formal assessment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, use "formal assessment" when referring to structured, official evaluations as opposed to informal observations.

Common error

Avoid using "formal assessment" when describing informal observations or subjective evaluations. Ensure the assessment follows a predefined structure and criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal assessment" functions as a noun phrase, where 'formal' modifies 'assessment'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a structured and official evaluation process. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formal assessment" signifies a structured and official evaluation, commonly used across diverse fields like science, news, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. When using the phrase, ensure the assessment adheres to predefined criteria and methods. Alternatives like "structured evaluation" or "systematic appraisal" can be considered depending on the context. Remember, clarity and precision are key when communicating about evaluations, so avoid using "formal assessment" for informal observations. The phrase is very common according to Ludwig's analysis, so you can use it safely in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

structured evaluation

Focuses on the organized and planned nature of the assessment.

official evaluation

Emphasizes the authorized and recognized status of the evaluation.

systematic appraisal

Highlights the methodical and thorough approach to evaluation.

standardized test

Refers specifically to assessments using uniform procedures and scoring.

comprehensive review

Suggests a wide-ranging and detailed examination.

detailed analysis

Highlights thoroughness and in-depth examination.

thorough investigation

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the assessment.

rigorous examination

Highlights strictness and precision in the evaluation process.

clinical assessment

Specifically used in medical contexts to evaluate a patient's condition.

performance evaluation

Focuses on assessing how well someone or something is performing.

FAQs

How is a "formal assessment" different from an informal one?

A "formal assessment" is structured, often standardized, and uses predefined criteria, while an informal assessment is more flexible and subjective. Consider using "structured evaluation" for similar contexts.

What are some contexts where a "formal assessment" is typically used?

Formal assessments are common in education, healthcare, and professional settings to evaluate knowledge, skills, or performance in a standardized manner.

What's a good alternative to "formal assessment" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using phrases like "systematic appraisal" or "comprehensive review" to maintain a scholarly tone.

Can "formal assessment" be used in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "formal assessment" may sound overly technical in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "official evaluation" or "performance evaluation" might be more appropriate.