a serviceable member

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serviceable member" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is useful or functional in a particular role or context, often in a formal or professional setting. Example: "Despite the challenges, she proved to be a serviceable member of the committee, contributing valuable insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Either Greuel or Lieu would be a serviceable member of Congress, but Waxman's legacy sets a higher bar.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's not even a serviceable customer service infrastructure in place.

The Washington Post

The fourth cast member, Martin Bedard, does a serviceable job, but he, too, doesn't quite find all the life there is to find in the material.

The New York Times

A serviceable if unexciting sausage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everything is dressed in a serviceable vinaigrette.

The New York Times - Food

YOU think you have a serviceable résumé.

The New York Times

Marxism is no longer a serviceable tool for the state.

The New Yorker

Nigeria, among Africa's richest countries, lacks a serviceable navy.

The Economist

"When it was young, it did a serviceable job.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Harnick describes his voice as a serviceable baritone.

The New York Times - Arts

With Memphis, Milicic eventually developed into a serviceable backup.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serviceable member", ensure the context clarifies the standards being met, as it implies functionality without necessarily implying excellence.

Common error

Avoid using "a serviceable member" when describing someone whose contributions significantly exceed basic expectations. It can downplay their actual value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serviceable member" functions as a noun phrase that describes a person's role or contribution within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates someone who is useful and functional. The phrase implies a level of adequacy in fulfilling responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serviceable member" is a noun phrase used to describe someone who adequately fulfills their role, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not implying excellence, it suggests usefulness and basic competence. Consider alternatives like "a competent contributor" or "a functional participant" to adjust the nuance. Ensure its usage aligns with the context to avoid overstating or understating capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a functional participant

Focuses on the ability to participate effectively.

a competent contributor

Emphasizes competence in making contributions.

an adequate participant

Highlights the adequacy of their participation.

a useful addition

Highlights the usefulness of someone's addition to a group

an effective element

Focuses on effectiveness as a part of a team

a helpful associate

Emphasizes helpfulness and association.

a dependable team member

Focuses on dependability in a team setting.

a reliable component

Highlights reliability as a component of a system.

a standard employee

Indicates someone meeting the standard expectations of employment

a typical representative

Emphasizes typicality and representation.

FAQs

How can I use "a serviceable member" in a sentence?

You can use "a serviceable member" to describe someone who fulfills their role adequately, such as, "Despite lacking extensive experience, she was "a serviceable member" of the team".

What are some alternatives to "a serviceable member"?

Alternatives include "a competent contributor", "a functional participant", or "a useful addition", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a serviceable member" a positive or negative description?

"A serviceable member" is generally neutral. It implies adequacy and functionality, but not necessarily excellence. It's more positive than negative, but not as strong as terms like "valuable" or "outstanding".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a serviceable member"?

It's appropriate in contexts where basic competence and functionality are sufficient or where you want to avoid overstating someone's capabilities. It can be used in professional or formal settings.