Formalimmissa

Formalimmissa is a Finnish grammatical form used to indicate “in the more formal [contexts]” or “in the more formal ones.” It is the plural inessive form of the adjective formaalimpi, which means “more formal.” In Finnish, adjectives are inflected for degree of comparison and for grammatical case and number, so formalimmissa appears with plural nouns in the inessive case to express that something occurs within the more formal contexts.

Usage and scope: The form is primarily encountered in linguistic descriptions, style guides, and discussions of formality in language. It describes contexts, settings, or circumstances that are comparatively more formal than others. Because it is an inflected form rather than a separate word, formalimmissa typically appears in sentences about events, documents, or environments that require greater formality.

Examples:

- Tilaisuudet järjestetään formalimmissa konteksteissa. (The events are held in more formal contexts.)

- Kutsut voivat vaihdella, ja formalimmissa tilaisuuksissa pukeutuminen on tiukempaa. (Invitations may vary, and in more formal occasions the dress code is stricter.)

Notes: As a grammatical inflection, formalimmissa requires a plural noun and the inessive case. For singular references, other forms of the comparative adjective are used, such as formala­imper­mänsä (depending on number and case). The term is primarily of interest in syntax, morphology, and discussions of Finnish style and formality.

See also: formalainen, formalisuus, konteksti, etiketti.