The phrase "formally started" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has officially begun or commenced in a particular manner or setting. Here is an example sentence: "The meeting was formally started with a brief introduction from the chairperson."
After Secure Communities was formally started in 2008, ICE officials gave many states the understanding that participation was voluntary.
The bureau formally started operations last week, beginning to supervise and write regulations for the financial industry.
The company claims the contract, which formally started on 1 February, would save the government £60m over five years.
Just two months after the peace talks had formally started, Stendal was invited by his former kidnappers to Havana.
That will breathe some fresh air into a campaign that feels as if it has been going on for months before it has formally started.
And this week, the newest contest — for a drivable, affordable car that gets 100 miles a gallon — will be formally started at the New York International Auto Show.
The political action committee will formally start up on Friday.
Both he and Hunt stressed that licence fee discussions will not formally start until next spring.
The Leveson Inquiry into press standards formally starts today amid concern witnesses with incendiary evidence will have their statements curtailed.
Nation-by-nation vetting of the new system will formally start in February, when governments are expected to sign a treaty creating special patent courts.
But despite efforts by Yahoo's advisers to formally start the bidding, potential buyers and investors are taking their time, according to people briefed on their plans.
