formally named

USAGE SUMMARY

"formally named" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the official or formal designation of something, such as a person, place, or thing. Example: The new research institute was formally named after Dr. Marie Curie, in recognition of her significant contributions to science and medicine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A14 New President Named in Iraq One of Saddam Hussein's staunchest opponents, Jalal Talabani, was formally named president of Iraq.

The New York Times

Jake -- formally named Ch.

The New York Times

1929 -- The country is formally named Yugoslavia.

The New York Times

None of the athletes were formally named in court papers.

The New York Times - Sports

So far only six quake victims have been formally named.

The Guardian

Two months ago, he was formally named as Freedom's chief executive.

The New York Times

It was around that time that Mr. Yang was formally named chief Beijing representative.

The New York Times

This March, Maneka formally named her party the National Sanjay Organization.

The New Yorker

IBM agreed to license the machine, formally named Scandex, for a 5percentt royalty.

The New York Times

Nano" license plate, was formally named to lead the new college in early 2015.

The New York Times

The last, element 118, was only formally named in November 2016: oganesson.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formally named" when you want to emphasize the official nature of a naming or designation process, ensuring clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "formally named" in casual or informal settings where a simpler term like "named" or "called" would suffice, as it can sound overly stiff or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formally named" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating the official designation or naming of something. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe the naming of people, places, and things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formally named" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the official designation of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, signaling its formal register. When writing, remember that while grammatically versatile, "formally named" is inappropriate in casual or informal contexts. Alternatives such as "officially designated" or "officially titled" can provide similar meaning with slight nuances. To maintain clarity and precision, ensure the formal nature of the context warrants its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

officially designated

Emphasizes the official nature of the naming or designation.

formally designated

Highlights the formal process of designating something.

expressly named

Indicates a clear and unambiguous naming.

officially titled

Focuses on the formal assigning of a title.

specifically identified

Highlights a precise identification through naming.

properly identified

Highlights that the naming was done correctly and according to protocol.

officially christened

Implies a formal naming ceremony, often with a religious connotation.

legally recognized

Emphasizes the legal validity of the naming.

duly appointed

Emphasizes the proper and legal appointment process.

publicly announced

Focuses on the public declaration of the name.

FAQs

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

You can use "formally named" to indicate an official designation, as in "The building was "formally named" after the benefactor".

What is a synonym for "formally named"?

Synonyms for "formally named" include "officially designated", "officially titled", and "expressly named".

Is it correct to say "was formally named as"?

While understandable, it's more concise and grammatically preferred to say "was "formally named"" without the "as".

What's the difference between "formally named" and "informally known as"?

"Formally named" refers to the official name, while "informally known as" refers to a nickname or unofficial designation. For example, a building might be "formally named" "The Innovation Center" but is "informally known as" "The Spark".