When ortho substitution occurs in benzoic acid, steric hindrance causes the carboxyl group to twist out of the plane of the benzene ring. The twisting inhibits the resonance of the carboxyl group with the phenyl ring, leading to increased acidity of the carboxyl group. This increased acidity contrasts with the reduced acidity caused by destabilizing cross-conjugation. The destabilizing cross-conjugation causes decreased acidity of benzoic acid compared to formic acid.