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# formally

«formally» in Mova's school dictionary: **In a polite, serious, correct way, suitable for important…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 1 sentence of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adverb (formally)

### meaning for a pupil

1) In a polite, serious, correct way, suitable for important occasions. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#m1)

2) Officially: «formally announced». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#m2)

3) In proper dress for a special event: «dressed formally». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In school: formal writing (letters, reports) is written formally; speaking formally to a head teacher. In news: «formally opened», «formally charged». Opposite: informally, casually.

### examples

- We must write the letter formally. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#x1)
- The new library was formally opened by the mayor. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#x2)
- Everyone dressed formally for the wedding. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#x3)
- He was formally introduced to the queen. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#x4)
- The school formally announced the new rules. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#x5)
- In assembly we speak formally. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/#x6)

### note

Don't confuse with «formerly» (in the past) — they sound alike in many accents. Adjective: formal.

### In the corpora

- ["Can I?" asks if you are able or allowed; "May I?" asks permission more politely and formally.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/32-active-and-passive-voice-modal-verbs/17/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «formally» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formally/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.