formally confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formally confirm" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, you can use this phrase when you want to say that something has been officially agreed upon or officially noted. For example: We formally confirm our agreement to purchase the products by August 1st.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The next morning, Iran and the six major powers met to formally confirm the terms.

The New Yorker

Liberal Democrat sources said George Osborne would formally confirm the move in his autumn statement.

The Guardian

World Rugby will release tender documents to interested countries in May, and countries must formally confirm their intention to bid in June.

The Guardian - Sport

Graham Brady, chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, said he would now formally confirm May as the new leader of the Conservative party.

The Guardian

Boullier said: "It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team next season.

Independent

This means that Thailand can, with luck, look forward to a relatively stable political landscape for at least a while with Ms Yingluck as the country's first female prime minister; parliament will formally confirm her in around a month's time.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In all, 15 responses have been formally confirmed resulting in a confirmed ORR of 45%.

British Journal of Cancer

"The identities of these persons have yet to be formally confirmed.

The Guardian

The FBI formally confirmed today that North Korea was behind the Sony hack.

Independent

If formally confirmed, it would be the fourth massacre in two weeks.

The New York Times

Outgoing Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey today formally confirmed he will step down as party chief next month.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formally confirm" when you need to emphasize the official nature of an agreement, decision, or piece of information. It adds a layer of seriousness and authority to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "formally confirm" in casual or informal settings. The phrase sounds overly stilted if you are, for example, talking about confirming a casual meeting with a friend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formally confirm" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate the official or authoritative validation of information or a decision. Ludwig shows it in contexts where actions require official endorsement or recognition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formally confirm" is a common verb phrase used to indicate the official verification or validation of something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Science. It is important to note its formal register and to avoid using it in informal settings. Related phrases include "officially verify" and "formally ratify". When writing, use "formally confirm" to emphasize the official nature of an announcement or agreement. Be aware of its formal tone to ensure your writing is appropriate for the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

officially verify

Replaces 'confirm' with 'verify', emphasizing the act of checking and proving something to be true officially.

officially validate

Substitutes 'confirm' with 'validate', stressing the establishment of something's legitimacy or correctness through official means.

formally ratify

Replaces 'confirm' with 'ratify', which implies formal consent or approval, typically of a treaty or agreement.

officially affirm

Uses 'affirm' instead of 'confirm', highlighting a declaration or assertion made with authority.

formally acknowledge

Changes 'confirm' to 'acknowledge', suggesting a formal recognition of something's existence or truth.

officially attest

Replaces 'confirm' with 'attest', which indicates bearing witness to something officially.

formally declare

Uses 'declare' instead of 'confirm', emphasizing an official announcement or proclamation.

legally establish

Emphasizes the legal aspect of the confirmation, indicating that something is proven and recognized under the law.

certify officially

Replaces 'confirm' with 'certify', highlighting the issuance of a formal certificate as proof.

validate through official channels

Emphasizes that the validation process follows established official procedures.

FAQs

How can I use "formally confirm" in a sentence?

You can use "formally confirm" to indicate an official endorsement or verification, such as: "The committee will "formally confirm" the new policy next week".

What's a good alternative to "formally confirm"?

Alternatives to "formally confirm" include "officially verify", "formally ratify", or "officially affirm", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "officially formally confirm"?

Yes, saying "officially formally confirm" is generally redundant because both words convey a similar meaning of official validation. It's better to use either "officially confirm" or "formally confirm".

What is the difference between "confirm" and "formally confirm"?

"Confirm" simply means to verify or establish something, while "formally confirm" implies an official or structured process of validation, often with legal or procedural significance.