I served him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I served him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing a service or assistance to a male individual, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "During my time at the restaurant, I served him his favorite dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I served him dinner last night,' " Mr. Esposito said.

The New York Times - Food

After I served him the usual steamed broccoli, he complained about how Americans don't know how to prepare vegetables.

The New York Times

All those years I served him, I trusted I was doing something worthwhile.

The New Yorker

A Lloyds clerk, who did not wish to be named, told the Daily Mail: "I served him.

The Guardian

In the end, I served him the divorce papers personally and watched fearlessly as he exploded with fury.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I served him a plate," a member of the Wootan clan reported later, "and he threw his tie over his shoulder and dripped sauce on his shirt".

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I say it served him right, but now I'm a little curious: anyone here have their iPod unlawfully taken from them?

TechCrunch

"And when I heard it was defeated overwhelmingly, I thought it served him right".

The New York Times

Like most people, I thought it served him absolutely right to be disgraced, stripped of his medals and banned from professional cycling competition for the rest of his life.

Huffington Post

I feel that he is judgmental about the food I serve him.

The New Yorker

It's not that the sandwich I serve him will make me; it's the entire experience Mick has that will make me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and purpose of your writing; while generally acceptable, "I served him" might sound overly formal in casual contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I served him" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "I helped him" or "I took care of him" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I served him" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker provided a service or assistance to a male individual. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, often in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I served him" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe the action of providing a service or assistance to a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its frequent use in professional or formal contexts. Although "I served him" is considered correct, its frequency is uncommon, with the majority of examples found in news and media, formal and business, and scientific sources. While writing, you can choose from the alternatives like "I assisted him" or "I waited on him" depending on the context for subtle differences in meaning. Be aware of the formal tone and consider using a more informal phrase like "I helped him" for casual scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I provided service to him

Emphasizes the act of offering a service.

I gave him service

Focuses on the act of providing service.

I assisted him

A more general term for helping someone.

I waited on him

Specifically used in a restaurant or dining context.

I attended to him

Implies taking care of someone's needs or requests.

I looked after him

Suggests care and responsibility for someone's well-being.

I catered to him

Suggests fulfilling specific desires or preferences.

I ministered to him

Often used in a religious or charitable context, suggesting care and support.

I obliged him

Implies fulfilling a request or command.

I was in his service

Highlights a formal or subordinate relationship.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I served him"?

You can use alternatives like "I assisted him", "I waited on him", or "I helped him" depending on the context.

Is "I served him" formal or informal?

"I served him" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "I helped him out".

How to use "I served him" in a sentence?

Use "I served him" to describe providing a service or assistance to a male individual. For example, "During my time at the restaurant, "I served him" his favorite dish".

What's the difference between "I served him" and "I helped him"?

"I served him" implies a more structured or formal service, while "I helped him" is a more general term for providing assistance.