going through the formalities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going through the formalities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "going through the formalities" to describe the process of completing a bureaucratic task, such as filling out paperwork. For example: "Before getting married, we had to go through the formalities of obtaining a marriage license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The United States has used its power to similar effect in the Philippines, and, without going through the formalities of colonial control, throughout the rest of the world.

The Economist

"The political struggles and the negotiations before and after the Congress are important – the meeting [itself] is just going through the formalities," said Chen Ziming, an independent political scholar based in Beijing.

The Guardian

Andrew Bailey, soon to transfer from the PRA to the FCA, had signalled as much in November when the official report into the failure of HBOS was finally published; it was just a question of going through the formalities of launching an investigation.

The Guardian - Business

It would be better if you didn't have a shrine and were very sincere in cultivating virtue than if you had a shrine and wasted time going through the formalities of making it look pretty.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Following the passage of the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, O'Connell, after going through the formality of an uncontested reelection, took his seat at Westminster.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It had, indeed, been a red pen at the qualifying stage, before the checkers told him that they prefer to keep that colour for themselves when going through the formality of checking his entries against the solutions.

The Guardian

The Chinese groups will confirm the takeover to the Shanghai stock exchange on Monday, as they go through the formalities required to complete the transaction.

The Guardian - Business

On crossing the border, a friendly young Canadian customs agent smilingly went through the formalities and welcomed us; on returning to our native country, an armed agent barked orders, searched our car and snapped questions.

The New York Times

Terry McAuliffe, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said he was surprised that Mr. Bush had gone through the formalities of setting up a re-election campaign "since all this man does is campaign every day" through a slick White House operation that juxtaposes his role as commander in chief with his domestic agenda.

The New York Times

Be very cautious when the contractor does not want to go through the formalities of signing a contract.

WikiHow

The party went through the formality of also nominating a second candidate, its secretary general, Charles Muligande.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going through the formalities" when you want to convey that a process is required but somewhat perfunctory, and perhaps lacks genuine meaning or impact. This implies a sense of routine or obligation rather than enthusiastic engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "going through the formalities" when the process is genuinely meaningful or engaging. This phrase suggests a lack of enthusiasm or that the process is merely a routine obligation. Instead, describe the process directly and positively.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "going through the formalities" is that of a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes the act of completing a set of required actions or procedures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going through the formalities" is a phrase used to describe the completion of required procedures, often with a sense of routine or obligation. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and relatively common, appearing in various contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and wikis. Use it when you want to convey that a process is necessary but somewhat perfunctory. Be mindful not to use it when the process is genuinely engaging or meaningful, as this phrase implies a lack of enthusiasm. Alternatives like "completing the procedures" or "fulfilling the requirements" might be more appropriate in such cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completing the procedures

Emphasizes the action of finishing the required steps.

fulfilling the requirements

Highlights the act of meeting mandatory stipulations.

observing the protocols

Highlights adherence to established rules and guidelines.

undertaking the necessary steps

Focuses on the actions needed to fulfill a requirement.

executing the required actions

Emphasizes the performance of mandated tasks.

discharging the obligations

Highlights the fulfillment of duties or responsibilities.

adhering to the conventions

Focuses on following accepted practices or norms.

satisfying the prerequisites

Emphasizes meeting the necessary conditions.

performing the due diligence

Focuses on conducting a thorough investigation or process.

taking the prescribed course of action

Emphasizes following a predetermined set of steps.

FAQs

What does "going through the formalities" mean?

The phrase "going through the formalities" means completing a set of required procedures or actions, often in a routine or perfunctory manner. It suggests that the process is more about fulfilling requirements than having genuine significance.

How can I use "going through the formalities" in a sentence?

You can use "going through the formalities" to describe situations where procedures are followed without much enthusiasm or real impact. For example: "Before the acquisition could be finalized, the lawyers had to spend weeks "going through the formalities".

What are some alternatives to "going through the formalities"?

Alternatives to "going through the formalities" include "completing the procedures", "fulfilling the requirements", or "observing the protocols". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "going through the formalities" a formal or informal expression?

"Going through the formalities" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the process is somewhat unnecessary or tedious.