formal unity

USAGE SUMMARY

"formal unity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which all elements of a group, plan, or arrangement are unified into a single, balanced organism. For example, "The professor was impressed by the formal unity of the student's paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

His primary contribution lies in his apprehension of the formal unity of the world of experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first eight lines produce an effect of formal unity, while the hexameter completes the thought of the stanza.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rejecting formal unity, she combined fragmentation, repetition and text to explore states of ambiguity, uncertainty and anxiety.

The New York Times - Arts

His early tenor saxophone solos, inspired by Sonny Rollins, featured rare formal unity using thematic improvisation techniques, often with drama and humour ("Afrique," "High Modes").

Encyclopedia Britannica

In "Zinnias," for example, the objects are stylized for the sake of formal unity, and the flowers, cloth and fruit become abstracted compositional building blocks.

The New York Times

To this end he created a series of large-format prints that are surprising both in their formal unity and in their extraordinary detail.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

In contrast to the monochrome painters of the '70s (Brice Marden and Robert Ryman) and the Neo-Expressionists of the '80s (Julian Schnabel and Anselm Kiefer), Mr. Dunham did not try to achieve formal or stylistic unity in these works.

The New York Times - Arts

This amounts to rejecting the structural, formal approach to unity and reductionism.

SEP

These prediscursive and discursive modes of thought account for the formal categories of unity, plurality, identity, difference, degree and relation that are shared by the natural and human sciences.

SEP

Trying to define beauty, Changeux summarizes views from Plato onward, singling out Plato's dialogue "Greater Hippias," from which he extracts two definitions: "formal appropriateness, where the unity of the whole triumphed over the multiplicity of its parts," and more especially, the harmony of those parts in the service of a beneficial function.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The fairly general setting for this paper is a formal development of a UNITY-style temporal logic for labeled transition systems in the calculus of inductive constructions which has been conducted using the Coq proof assistant in a formally rigorous way.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In political science or sociology, apply "formal unity" to analyze how institutions or social structures maintain a sense of cohesion and order.

Common error

Avoid using "formal unity" when you simply mean similarity or sameness. "Formal unity" implies a structured, integrated relationship between different components, not just a lack of variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal unity" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to the state of coherence and integration achieved through structured elements. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formal unity" is a noun phrase denoting the organized and structured integration of elements to achieve a cohesive whole. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds usage across varied contexts like encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. It's particularly relevant when analyzing art, literature, or political systems where structured coherence is key. Remember to differentiate "formal unity" from simple uniformity to ensure accurate and impactful writing. The most relevant contexts, are Encyclopedias, News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

structural coherence

Focuses on the arrangement and organization of elements to achieve unity.

organized integration

Emphasizes the structured combination of different parts.

systematic harmonization

Highlights the orderly and balanced relationship between elements.

unified structure

Stresses the cohesive arrangement resulting in a single entity.

coherent framework

Highlights the logical and consistent basis that provides unity.

integrated design

Emphasizes the planned and coordinated approach to achieving unity.

harmonious composition

Highlights the pleasing and balanced arrangement of elements.

ordered arrangement

Focuses on the structured and methodical placement of components.

symmetrical balance

Stresses the equal distribution and arrangement of elements.

consistent organization

Emphasizes the uniformity and reliability in the arrangement of parts.

FAQs

How is "formal unity" used in art criticism?

In art criticism, "formal unity" describes how elements such as line, color, and composition work together to create a cohesive and visually harmonious artwork. Critics analyze these elements to determine if they achieve a sense of "structural coherence".

What's the difference between "formal unity" and "informal unity"?

"Formal unity" implies a structured and planned cohesion, often achieved through specific techniques or principles. "Informal unity", on the other hand, arises more organically and may be based on shared themes or emotional connections without strict adherence to formal rules. You can also say "harmonious composition" to describe the formal alternative.

Can "formal unity" be applied to political systems?

Yes, "formal unity" can be applied to political systems to describe how different branches of government, laws, and institutions are designed to work together in a cohesive and organized manner. It ensures a "consistent organization" across all government structures.

What are some synonyms for "formal unity" in the context of design?

In design, synonyms for "formal unity" include "integrated design", "systematic harmonization", and "coherent framework". These terms emphasize the deliberate and structured arrangement of elements to create a unified and aesthetically pleasing whole.