formal undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a serious commitment or promise is being made, often in legal or official documents. Example: "The parties involved have signed a formal undertaking to adhere to the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Any formal undertaking the party makes would have to be agreed collectively.

Independent

The judge ordered Whitehall officials to give a formal undertaking that they would carry out a further policy review.

The Guardian

Only by such formal undertaking can an unequivocal message of bipartisan commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice be conveyed to the world.

The New York Times

Did the informer identified in my Stasi file with the incongruous code-name "Smith" actually sign a formal undertaking to work for the secret police as an "unofficial collaborator" or did he not?

The Guardian - Books

Second, the United States and other donors could make a formal undertaking to ensure that the vast amounts that will soon pour into the country for reconstruction go not to foreigners but to Haitians — and not only to Haitian contractors and builders but to Haitian workers, at reasonable wages.

The New York Times

During it all, the Australian government provided military aid to Indonesia, and is specifically said to have continued to supply Nomad aircrafts, despite knowing that Indonesian forces were using them in East Timor, in violation of Indonesia's formal undertaking not to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Yet, the concept of enjoyable online learning experiences – specifically when learning is not part of a formal instructional undertaking – has not been well studied, and thus it is not well understood.

Decision Support Systems

Others, unable to find formal employment, undertake commercial sex work or deal drugs, which increases their vulnerability to a host of health issues, including H.I.V. and AIDS.

The New Yorker

These antenatal clinics are well attended and in the only formal survey undertaken more than 90% of women in refugee camps were found to be attending SMRU ANC.

F1000Research

For example, the proportion of the population who reported that they had undertaken formal volunteering – that is, unpaid help undertaken through or on behalf of organised groups – at least once in the past year had gone up from 39%to45%5%, which was statistically significant.

The Guardian

Each region has agreed to setting up a detailed five year business plan with the PRGB undertaking formal quarterly reviews.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formal undertaking" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and official nature of a commitment, especially in legal, political, or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "formal undertaking" in casual conversation or informal writing. It sounds overly stilted and pretentious in settings where a simple promise or agreement would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. It describes a specific type of commitment or agreement, often implying a legally or officially recognized obligation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formal undertaking" is a noun phrase denoting a serious and official commitment, often legally binding. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for professional, news, scientific or formal business contexts. While alternatives exist, "formal undertaking" specifically emphasizes the documented and consequential nature of the agreement. However, be careful not to use it in casual conversations since it may sound overly formal and out of place. The phrase is relatively uncommon but carries significant weight when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official commitment

Emphasizes the official nature of the promise or obligation.

binding agreement

Highlights the legally enforceable aspect of the agreement.

solemn pledge

Focuses on the serious and sincere nature of the promise.

written guarantee

Specifies that the undertaking is documented in writing and provides assurance.

legal warranty

Emphasizes the legal protection or assurance provided.

certified assurance

Indicates that the assurance has been officially certified or validated.

acknowledged obligation

Highlights the recognition and acceptance of a duty or responsibility.

stated promise

Focuses on the explicit declaration of a promise.

sworn affidavit

Specifies that the undertaking is a sworn statement made under oath.

contractual obligation

Highlights the legally binding nature of the commitment within a contract.

FAQs

What does "formal undertaking" mean?

A "formal undertaking" is a serious commitment or promise, often made in an official or legal context. It signifies a binding agreement to perform a specific action or adhere to certain terms.

How to use "formal undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "formal undertaking" in sentences like: "The company gave a "formal undertaking" to reduce emissions." or "The government signed a "formal undertaking" to protect the endangered species."

What can I say instead of "formal undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "official commitment", "binding agreement", or "solemn pledge" depending on the specific context. These alternatives provide similar meanings while potentially fitting better in certain situations.

When is it appropriate to use "formal undertaking" over a simple 'promise'?

"Formal undertaking" is appropriate when the commitment is legally binding, officially documented, or carries significant consequences for non-compliance, unlike a simple 'promise' which may lack such weight.