merely a formality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely a formality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that is considered to be a routine or standard procedure, often implying that it lacks significance or importance. Example: "The final approval from the board is merely a formality, as the project has already been greenlit by the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

For Burlyuk, studying art was merely a formality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After some time Ray tells George that his coming is merely a formality.

The New Yorker

Though there is some fanfare given to this occasion, it is merely a formality at almost every tournament.

The New York Times

When the Dockers slammed on the opening 11 goals for the game, the result was merely a formality.

The Guardian - Sport

The delisting of DrKoop.com was merely a formality due to its bankruptcy and sale of assets to a private company.

The New York Times

He needs only one point to take the title, and that, of course, will be merely a formality for the German driver, 24.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But it should be just a formality.

Huffington Post

But of course this clarification was just a formality.

TechCrunch

It seems only a formality.

The New York Times

It's just a formality".

The Guardian

Perhaps it is only a formality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely a formality" to downplay the significance of a process or action, especially when it's expected to have no real impact or is predetermined. For example, "The final vote was "merely a formality" since the outcome was already decided".

Common error

Avoid using "merely a formality" when the procedure or action actually carries significant weight or could potentially influence the outcome. This can lead to misunderstandings and a misrepresentation of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely a formality" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that something is done as a routine or standard practice, often lacking real significance. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability in describing actions lacking importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merely a formality" is a commonly used expression to indicate that something is a routine or standard procedure, often lacking significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Grammatically sound, it functions as an adverbial phrase, and its usage spans various contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. Related phrases include "just a formality" and "simply a formality". When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately portraying the situation and not downplaying something of importance. Ludwig's analysis underscores its role in subtly communicating the perfunctory nature of certain actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a formality

Replaces "merely" with "just", emphasizing the routine nature.

simply a formality

Uses "simply" instead of "merely", suggesting ease and lack of importance.

purely a formality

Emphasizes that it's a formality and nothing more.

essentially a formality

Highlights that the core nature is a formality.

largely a formality

Acknowledges that while it's mostly a formality, there might be slight exceptions.

a rubber stamp

Metaphorically describes the action as an automatic approval.

a procedural step

Focuses on the process being a standard step in a procedure.

an empty gesture

Highlights the lack of genuine meaning or impact behind the action.

a matter of course

Indicates something that happens as a normal and expected procedure.

pro forma

Uses a Latin term to describe something done as a standard practice.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "merely a formality"?

It means that the action or procedure is considered routine and doesn't carry much significance or potential for changing the outcome. It's often something that must be done but is predetermined or expected.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "merely a formality"?

Use it when you want to emphasize that a step or process is standard and unlikely to have a real impact. Be careful not to use it when the process is actually important or could influence the results.

What are some alternatives to saying "merely a formality"?

You can use alternatives like "just a formality", "simply a formality", or "a rubber stamp" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "merely a formality" in a sentence?

For example, you might say, "Submitting the paperwork was "merely a formality" since the deal had already been approved" or "The board's approval is "merely a formality"; they always follow the CEO's recommendations".