is more a formality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is more a formality' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express that something is done out of protocol rather than as a means of achieving a goal. For example, "Attending the meeting is more a formality, since all the decisions have already been made."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is almost always less technical than the first, and is more a formality to make sure the manager has the necessary approvals to extend an offer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But this is more of a formality than anything else".

The New York Times

Burke and Ellman, a developer, are scheduled to complete the deal on June 30, but Burke said that is more of a formality.

The New York Times - Sports

Virginia Tech stands in the way, however, and next Saturday's game against unbeaten Miami is more than a formality.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're continuing, but it is more of a formality," said the lawyer for Nicolò Pollari, the former chief of Italian military intelligence, who is among those on trial.

The New York Times

If a condo rejects an applicant, the building must agree to buy the apartment on the same terms — an option that is seldom exercised, so the approval process is more of a formality.

The New York Times

CAPE TOWN — The South African version of "you're welcome" is "pleasure," with the last bit of the word dragged out as if to emphasize that this is more than a formality.

The New York Times - Sports

The campaign, which ended on December 15th, met its $25,000 goal with only $585 to spare and actually shipped the $35 appcessory to backers three days later, hinting that this was one of those campaigns where the fundraising was more of a formality than a necessity.

TechCrunch

PB Announcing the high speed rail bill is more or less a formality – although conceivably a different government might have scrapped HS2, all major parties backed it.

The Guardian

Moving to New York, which Collins did three years ago, was more of a formality.

The New Yorker

While the commission routinely consults member countries on preliminary tariffs, in the past that has tended to be more of a formality, and opposition has been infrequent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is more a formality" when you want to downplay the importance of an action or process, indicating that it's primarily done to satisfy requirements rather than achieve a meaningful outcome. For example, "The final interview with the CEO is more a formality since the hiring manager has already made the decision."

Common error

Avoid using "is more a formality" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound dismissive or cynical. Instead, vary your language and use more descriptive terms to explain why something might lack substance. Consider stronger verbs instead of simply stating it's a formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is more a formality" functions as a predicate nominative, describing the subject as something that primarily serves a procedural or perfunctory role. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that the action lacks substantive impact, emphasizing compliance over genuine purpose.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is more a formality" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that an action or process primarily serves a procedural function rather than having substantial meaning or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it conveys compliance over genuine purpose. While suitable for neutral registers like news and general writing, overuse can lead to a dismissive tone. Related phrases, such as "is mainly a formality" or "is just a formality", offer subtle variations in emphasis. Its usage is relatively rare, appearing across news, wiki, and science sources. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the context and consider alternative phrasings to avoid monotony or misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is mainly a formality

Replaces "more" with "mainly", slightly emphasizing the procedural aspect.

is largely a formality

Substitutes "more" with "largely", indicating a significant portion is formal.

is essentially a formality

Replaces "more" with "essentially", highlighting the fundamental nature of being formal.

is just a formality

Simplifies the phrase by using "just", minimizing the significance.

is simply a formality

Similar to "just a formality", emphasizing the lack of importance.

is a mere formality

Uses "mere" to underscore the insignificance of the action.

is a standard procedure

Shifts the focus to the procedural aspect, using different terminology.

is a required step

Highlights the necessity of the step, while maintaining the formal nature.

is a matter of protocol

Emphasizes adherence to rules rather than substantive action.

is a symbolic gesture

Suggests the action carries symbolic meaning without practical effect.

FAQs

How can I use "is more a formality" in a sentence?

Use "is more a formality" to suggest that something is done to comply with rules or customs, but it lacks real substance or impact. For example, "The vote "is more a formality", as the outcome is already predetermined."

What are some alternatives to saying "is more a formality"?

You can use alternatives like "is mainly a formality", "is largely a formality", or "is just a formality" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is more of a formality" instead of "is more a formality"?

While "is more a formality" is grammatically correct, "is more of a formality" is a more common and natural-sounding phrasing. Both are acceptable, but "is more of a formality" may be preferred in most contexts.

What does it mean when something "is more a formality"?

When something "is more a formality", it means the action or process is carried out because it's required or customary, but it doesn't have a significant impact or meaning. It's often done to meet expectations or adhere to protocol.