"a mere formality"
"the formality of his voice made the others pay him close attention"
"courtroom formality"
1.形式;仪式;俗套
If you say that an action or procedure is just aformality, you mean that it is done only because it is normally done, and that it will not have any real effect on the situation.
e.g. With the Cold War almost over, the talks were a mereformality.
随着冷战即将结束，对话就只是一种形式了。
2.程序;正式手续
Formalities are formal actions or procedures that are carried out as part of a particular activity or event.
e.g. They are whisked through the immigration and customs formalities in a matter of minutes.
给他们办理入境和通关手续只用了短短几分钟时间。
1. 形式：这一规则和注意义务相比,更多指向了遵守法律(obey the law)和公司形式(formality)的义务,强调决策行为的正当性. 这和注意义务之间有不同,但也有重叠. 这是由于法律和章程常常会采用比较含糊和笼统的表述,
2. 正式：软件项目的构建被切分成多个子项目,各个子项目的成果都经过测试,具备集成和可运行的特征. 6 轻量级方法更强调理解(understanding),自律(discipline)和技能(skill),重量级方法更强调文档(documentation),过程(process)和正式(formality)
办理取得持枪执照的全部必要手续
Let's skip the formalities and get down to business.咱们省去繁文缛节，开始讨论实质问题吧。
He already knows he has the job so the interview is a mere formality.他已知道得到了这个工作，所以面试仅仅是走走过场。
Different levels of formality are appropriate in different situations.不同程度的注重礼节适用于不同场合。
She greeted him with stiff formality.她拘谨地按礼节向他致意。
With the Cold War almost over, the talks were a mere formality.随着冷战即将结束，对话就只是一种形式了。
They are whisked through the immigration and customs formalities in a matter of minutes.给他们办理入境和通关手续只用了短短几分钟时间。
There is too much formality at official dinners.官方的晚宴有太多的拘泥形式了.
Fill out the form first. This is the formality we have to follow.先填写表格, 这是必须的手续.
With regard to participation, two trends of formality and simplification should be avoided.在这一过程中, 要避免参与的形式化和简单化倾向.
I found the formality of the occasion irritating.我觉得这种场合的繁文缛节十分讨厌.
He is already assured of the job and his interview is a mere formality.他已经肯定获得那份工作了,口头审查仅是形式而已.
Why all this formality?干吗这么大规矩?
The manager's signature was just a formality.经理的签字只是一种形式.
formality is one way of doing so.而言语规范正是保持距离的方法之一.
There's no time for formality in everyday life.在日常生活中没有时间讲究礼节.
He has the greatest disregard for all formality.他全然不顾一切礼节.
How can the formality be settled if it keeps being put off?要是一个劲地宽展下去,到什么时候才能办好手续 呀 .
He is a stickler for formality.他是一个拘泥礼节的人.
The chairman dispensed with the formality of read the minute.董事长省去了读会议记录的手续或做法.
The manager reacted against the formality of his predecessor.那位经理一反前任的刻板拘泥而行之.
We must take a serious attitude in summing up our work, and not just make it a mere formality.总结工作要认真, 不要走过场.
It's a formality which we have to go through.它是我们必须办理的一项手续.
If he was her equal, why did he behave so without formality?如果他与她平等相待, 他为什么举止无拘无束 呢 ?
I still need to complete one formality.我还要办一道手续.
He was already assured of the job and his interview was a mere formality.他已经确保有那项工作,他的面试仅仅是形式.
In the times of the emperors, the formality within the Forbidden City was rigid beyond belief.在帝王时代, 紫禁城内的礼仪异常严格,令人难以置信.
Here's your receipt. You are through with the custom formality.这是您的收据. 您已办完海关手续了.
Nor was his Attendance on Divine Offices a matter of formality and Custom, but of Conscience.
出自：F. Atterbury
