formal severance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal severance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to the official termination of employment or a formal separation from an organization or agreement. Example: "The company provided a formal severance package to all employees affected by the layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When it was even rumoured that Charles intended to depose Adrian and set up a Frankish pope in his place, it would have been folly for the pope to think of formal severance from the existing empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps Romney retained his formal titles until signing a formal severance agreement but didn't actually do anything, or perhaps a lowly lawyer made a mistake in filling in the forms.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The operations, popularly referred to as "war games", have received a good deal of attention in the press for their proximity to Russia, Moscow's stated and vehement opposition to the operations, the mobilization of Russian troops to the southern borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the recent reinstatement of formal NATO-Russia relations following their severance in August 2008.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, firms are discouraged from hiring formal workers by rigid and expensive rules for severance pay.Mr Levy's proposal, initially endorsed by Mr Peña, was to scrap most payroll taxes and phase in over five years a universal pension and health system (similar to Britain's NHS), mainly financed from general taxes.

The Economist

Moreover, formal employees are legally protected by firing regulations and severance pay.

IZA Journal of Migration

He received no severance pay, and there was no opportunity for formal job retraining, no unemployment insurance, and no welfare.

The New Yorker

The library says its former employees and its critics are misreading the clause — that it was not meant to curb free speech, has never been the subject of a formal complaint and did not have to be signed unless the employee sought the severance.

The New York Times - Books

From Monday the FA will engage in a formal, 45-day consultation period, at the end of which 100 people are expected to accept severance packages or be made compulsorily redundant.

The Guardian - Sport

Appearing to speak about the terms of the formal settlement with Mr. Bennett's client on Monday, he said she had received perhaps three months of severance — this after at first saying he knew of no severance.

The New York Times

This is your severance package".

The New Yorker

It calls the payment "severance".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing termination of employment or a significant partnership dissolution, use "formal severance" to underscore that the separation is managed with clear, established procedures and documentation. This signals transparency and adherence to legal standards.

Common error

Avoid using "formal severance" when the context involves an informal or amicable parting. This phrase implies a structured, potentially legal, process, which might be misleading if the situation is casual or unstructured.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal severance" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It names a specific type of separation or termination, usually in the context of employment. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formal severance" denotes a structured and officially recognized termination, typically in employment contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and usable, but its usage frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedia or business settings, emphasizing adherence to policies and legal compliance. When writing, use "formal severance" to highlight the structured nature of the separation, and avoid it in casual or unstructured contexts. Alternatives like "official separation" or "structured termination" may be suitable depending on the specific emphasis required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official separation

Focuses on the official nature of the separation, without necessarily implying a job context.

structured termination

Highlights the organized nature of ending an employment agreement.

formal termination agreement

Specifies that the severance is part of a broader formal agreement.

official dismissal

Emphasizes the act of being dismissed from a position officially.

structured exit

Focuses on the organized process of leaving a company or position.

agreed separation

Highlights the mutual consent aspect of the severance.

contractual severance

Indicates the severance is based on a contractual agreement.

formal release

Suggests a formal freeing from obligations or employment.

official departure

Stresses the official nature of leaving a role or organization.

orderly separation

Highlights the planned and organized aspects of the separation.

FAQs

How to use "formal severance" in a sentence?

You can use "formal severance" to describe an official end to an employment contract, such as: "The employee received a generous "formal severance" package upon leaving the company".

What does "formal severance" mean in the context of employment?

In employment, "formal severance" refers to a structured and officially documented termination of an employment agreement, often including a severance package and adherence to legal and company policies. It contrasts with informal or less structured departures.

What's the difference between "severance package" and "formal severance"?

"Severance package" refers to the benefits and compensation provided upon termination, while "formal severance" describes the overall process and its official nature, which may include the severance package as part of the agreement.

When is it appropriate to use the term "formal severance" instead of simply "severance"?

Use "formal severance" when you want to emphasize that the termination process adheres to specific policies, legal requirements, and documentation standards. "Severance" alone is a more general term.