formaleren

Formaleren is a Dutch verb that denotes making something formal or giving formal status to an arrangement, process, document, or relationship. The action usually involves introducing official procedures, criteria, or recognition that convert informal or provisional aspects into recognized formalities. The term is related to formaliseren, which is the more widely used standard term for formalizing; formuleren, by contrast, means to formulate or articulate something and serves a different linguistic function.

Usage and context: In administrative, legal, or governance language, formaleren may appear when describing steps that convert informal understandings into official arrangements. In many contexts, speakers prefer formaliseren to avoid ambiguity. Some writers treat formaleren as a variant or regional usage of formaliseren; in others, it may be encountered in specialized or technical registers.

Etymology and related terms: Formaleren derives from formal, referring to form or shape, with the common Dutch verb suffix -eren. Related nouns include formaliteit (formality) and formaliseringsproces (process of formalization). The English cognate is formalize.

See also: formaliseren, formuleren, formaliteit, formalization.

Notes: Because formaleren is less common and can be seen as nonstandard in formal writing, formaliseren is generally recommended when the intended meaning is to formalize a procedure, agreement, or rule.