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Meaning & use

formal statement

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌfɔːməl ˈsteɪtmənt/
US/ˌfɔːrməl ˈsteɪtmənt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    an official or serious declaration of facts, opinions, or intentions, often written and prepared carefully.

    Grammar: Countable: 'a formal statement', 'issue a formal statement'. Often used with verbs like 'make', 'issue', 'release'.

    Patterns

    • issue a formal statement
    • make a formal statement
    • a formal statement about something
    • a formal statement from someone

    The company issued a formal statement denying the reports.

    The president made a formal statement to the press.

    She released a formal statement explaining her resignation.

  2. nouncountablelegal

    a written account of events that a person gives to the police or a court, often signed as true.

    Grammar: In this legal sense it is often 'give a formal statement' or 'make a formal statement to the police'.

    Patterns

    • give a formal statement to the police
    • make a formal statement to the court

    The witness gave a formal statement to the police.

    He refused to make a formal statement without a lawyer present.

Word forms

pluralformal statements

Common combinations

issue a formal statement
The university issued a formal statement about the incident.
make a formal statement
The minister made a formal statement in parliament.
release a formal statement
The family released a formal statement through their lawyer.
a formal statement of intent
The two sides signed a formal statement of intent.
give a formal statement to the police
She gave a formal statement to the police the next morning.

Synonyms and how they differ

declaration
A strong, official announcement, often of principles or intent; a 'formal statement' can be more factual and less ceremonial.
announcement
A more general word for telling people something; 'formal statement' suggests a careful, official wording.
testimony
Specifically what a witness says in court under oath; a 'formal statement' can be given outside court as well.

Opposites

informal remarkcasual comment

Word family

statement noun
Something said or written that gives information or opinion.
formally adverb
In an official or serious way.
formality noun
An official act or a required procedure.

Commonly confused: formal statement or statement?

formal statement vs statement

In grammar, a 'statement' is a sentence that gives information, not a question or command. 'Formal statement' usually means an official declaration, not a grammatical type.

Practice

After the scandal, the CEO ______ a formal statement to the media.

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