formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "formation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a noun and can refer to the act or process of forming something, a particular arrangement or structure, or to the troops or formations of a military organization. For example: "The formation of the clouds indicated a storm was coming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is an intensity to his play that Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino demands, and given that Hodgson made the switch in formation based on Liverpool's success – in particular that of Raheem Sterling and Sturridge – last season, Kane could be a better like-for-like substitute for Luis Suárez than Rooney has proven.

The Guardian - Sport

The death mask is that of Daniel Good, whose success in evading a police hunt for weeks after he murdered his wife in 1842 led to the formation of a dedicated team of detectives.

The Guardian

By this I mean profound ignorance of the formation of the brain in early years and the effects of neglect and trauma.

The Guardian

Clegg has made Coppard's job easier, not just by reneging on his pledge not to increase tuition fees but by being in the highest echelons of a government that, shortly after its formation in 2010, cancelled a £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters, which the steel company had hoped to use to buy a new forging press for producing nuclear plant components, creating jobs.

The Guardian

Lobban credited Turing with starting the "irrevocable change" that led to the formation of GCHQ and its evolution into "the highly technological intelligence organisation that it is today".

The Guardian

O'Donnell published a draft of the chapter of the cabinet manual on the formation of a coalition government in early 2010 because he expected voters to elect a hung parliament.

The Guardian

Back it comes left, now, and Qld are lined up in bombing formation but Thurston throws a wild ball that he has to run 10m back to retrieve.

The Guardian - Sport

What if his instinctive opposition to the formation of the coalition had been heeded?

The Guardian - Opinion

A meeting is planned for next month to discuss the formation of a new organization for boys.

The Guardian

Early on in his captivity he realised he was being held by the Nusra Front, a branch of al-Qaida that first announced its formation in January 2012 during the Syrian civil war.

The Guardian

They are puppets being used by the invaders.' In a move welcomed by some of the country's opposition, Mr Kabila promised renewed political freedom this week, saying he would 'liberalise' political activities on January 1 and allow the formation of political parties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing team strategy in sports or business, use "formation" to clearly communicate the intended arrangement of players or team members.

Common error

Avoid using "formation" as a verb. Instead, use verbs like "form", "create", or "establish" to describe the act of forming something. For instance, use "to form a team" rather than "to formation a team".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "formation" is as a noun. It can refer to the process of forming something, a specific arrangement or structure, or a grouping of units, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formation" functions primarily as a noun referring to the act of creating or arranging something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for describing diverse contexts ranging from geological structures to team strategies. Usage is very common across formal and informal settings. While the term is adaptable, being mindful of its typical role as a noun and avoiding its misuse as a verb is crucial for maintaining clarity and grammatical precision. Its frequency in journalistic and scientific publications underscores its importance in clear, structured communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishment

Focuses on the act of setting something up, often an institution or organization.

creation

Emphasizes the act of bringing something new into existence.

development

Highlights the process of growth and evolution of something over time.

structure

Refers to the arrangement and organization of parts within a whole.

arrangement

Implies a specific order or layout of elements.

composition

Denotes the combination of elements that make up something.

organization

Highlights the systematic arrangement and coordination of elements.

genesis

Emphasizes the origin or beginning of something.

emergence

Focuses on the process of something coming into view or existence.

evolution

Highlights the gradual development and change of something.

FAQs

How is "formation" used in a sentence?

"Formation" is used as a noun to describe the act of forming something, a particular arrangement, or a group organized in a specific way. For example, "The "formation of the team" was crucial for their success".

What are some synonyms for "formation"?

Synonyms for "formation" include "establishment", "creation", "development", "structure", and "arrangement", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "formation" and "foundation"?

"Formation" refers to the process of creating or structuring something, while "foundation" refers to the basis or groundwork upon which something is built. For example, the "formation" of a company is the act of creating it, while the "foundation" is the principles or initial resources it's built upon.

In what contexts is "formation" commonly used?

"Formation" is commonly used in contexts such as describing geological features (rock formations), military arrangements (troop formations), team strategies (sports formations), and the establishment of organizations or groups.