formally notify

USAGE SUMMARY

"formally notify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are informing someone about something in a formal, official manner. For example: The legal department will formally notify the other party of our decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

To announce his intent to withdraw from the trade agreement, he would be required to formally notify Mexico and Canada.

The Washington Post

Mr. Bloomberg said that the Buildings Department would formally notify the Fire Department whenever a demolition permit is issued and send a second notification when demolition begins.

The New York Times

But for more than a year after the discovery C.I.A. officials did not formally notify the Justice Department that Mr. Deutch might have broken the law.

The New York Times

She voted to uphold most of the Pennsylvania law but, significantly, struck down the requirement that wives formally notify their husbands before obtaining an abortion.

The New Yorker

The dispatch of Schiller, a former New York City policeman, to formally notify Comey of his firing is one of the more unusual aspects of the drama.

The Guardian

Questions will now be asked about whether Hogg overstepped her powers in a family court by declaring Butler "exonerated" and ordering Sutton council to formally notify all agencies involved in Ellie's care of this.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

What is clear is that no one at Yale formally notified Rhodes, nor did Witt.

The New York Times - Sports

A union lawyer would not comment until the union was formally notified of the action.

The New York Times

Police have never formally notified Feng he is under house arrest.

The Guardian

Some residents said they have still not been formally notified by KeySpan of the demolition.

The New York Times

News Corporation formally notified the European Commission yesterday of its intention to take full control of BSkyB.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check that the notification method aligns with the required level of formality. A registered letter might be more appropriate than an email, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "formally notify" in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "let someone know" or "inform" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formally notify" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of communicating information in an official or prescribed manner. Ludwig examples showcase this usage across diverse scenarios such as legal proceedings, policy changes, and institutional announcements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formally notify" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of officially informing someone of something, primarily in professional, legal, or academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct. It appears frequently in news and media, signifying its importance in conveying official information. When using "formally notify", ensure that the context calls for a degree of formality and that the method of notification is appropriate. Alternatives include "officially inform" and "serve notice", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

officially inform

Focuses on the official nature of the communication, similar to the original phrase.

duly inform

Highlights the correctness and appropriateness of the notification.

officially advise

Implies providing counsel or information in an official capacity.

legally notify

Emphasizes the legal obligation or compliance aspect of the notification.

formally advise

Highlights giving advice in a formal way.

serve notice

A more legalistic term for providing formal notification.

provide official notification

Rephrases the original with slightly more emphasis on the notification itself.

issue a formal notice

Highlights the issuance of a formal document.

communicate officially

Broadens the scope to any form of official communication.

declare officially

Emphasizes the act of making an official declaration.

FAQs

What does "formally notify" mean?

To "formally notify" someone means to officially inform them of something, often following a specific protocol or requirement. This is generally done in a professional, legal, or otherwise official context.

When is it appropriate to use "formally notify"?

Use "formally notify" when the situation calls for a degree of formality, such as informing a company of a legal decision or notifying a government agency of a change. Using alternatives like "officially inform" or "duly inform" might also be appropriate depending on the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "formally notify"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "officially advise", "serve notice", or "issue a formal notice". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "formally notified" the same as "informed"?

While both indicate that someone has been told something, "formally notified" implies a specific process or requirement was followed. Simply being "informed" may not carry the same weight or have the same legal implications.