diff --git a/toml/serializer.hpp b/toml/serializer.hpp
index 68bdbcc..d3cbc48 100644
--- a/toml/serializer.hpp
+++ b/toml/serializer.hpp
@@ -485,13 +485,15 @@ inline std::string
 format(const value& v, std::size_t w = 80,
        int fprec = std::numeric_limits<toml::floating>::max_digits10)
 {
-    return visit(serializer(w, fprec, true), v);
+    // if value is a table, it is considered to be a root object.
+    // the root object can't be an inline table. so pass false. otherwise, true.
+    return visit(serializer(w, fprec, !v.is_table()), v);
 }
 inline std::string
 format(const table& t, std::size_t w = 80,
        int fprec = std::numeric_limits<toml::floating>::max_digits10)
 {
-    return serializer(w, fprec, true)(t);
+    return serializer(w, fprec, false)(t);
 }
 
 template<typename charT, typename traits>