a serving of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serving of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a portion or quantity of food or drink, often in the context of nutrition or meal preparation. Example: "For a healthy diet, it's recommended to include a serving of vegetables with each meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A serving of pappardelle Bolognese lacked character.

The New York Times

A serving of truffle is often five or six grams.

The New York Times - Food

A serving of eight slices runs less than five dollars.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Another good starter was a serving of four tasty meatballs atop creamy polenta and grilled sourdough.

The New York Times

A serving of chips and guacamole ($6) goes nicely with a cold Mexican beer or margarita.

The New York Times

At Denny's, a serving of grits, listed at 80 calories, tested at 258.

The New York Times - Health

(The cabbage in a serving of coleslaw carries 100 million baculoviruses).

The New York Times - Science

Grab a serving of the chicken, pour yourself a glass of chenin blanc and enjoy.

The New York Times - Food

The sausage was pepped up by Dijon mustard and a serving of crisp, delicious chips.

The New York Times

He even described his Venezuelan breakfast on Monday, which included a serving of beef.

The New York Times

A serving of that size contains nine grams of sugar, not 26 grams.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing nutrition, clearly specify the size of "a serving of" to provide accurate dietary information. For example, "A serving of almonds is about 23 almonds."

Common error

Avoid using "a serving of" without defining what constitutes that serving, as different foods have different standard serving sizes. This can lead to confusion and inaccurate portion control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serving of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying a noun phrase to indicate a specific quantity or portion. It is commonly used to specify the amount of food or drink, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a serving of" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate a specific quantity or portion, typically of food or drink. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and everyday conversations. To ensure clarity, it is best practice to specify the size or amount that constitutes "a serving of" a particular item. While alternatives like "a portion of" or "a helping of" exist, "a serving of" remains the standard and most universally understood phrase for this purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a portion of

Replaces "serving" with "portion", emphasizing a part or share of something.

a helping of

Substitutes "serving" with "helping", often used in informal contexts to denote an amount of food.

a quantity of

Uses "quantity" instead of "serving", focusing on the amount or number of something.

an amount of

Replaces "serving" with "amount", highlighting the measure or extent of something.

a measure of

Uses "measure" to denote a specific quantity or standard portion.

a unit of

Focuses on a single, standardized measure of something.

an individual portion of

Emphasizes that the serving is meant for one person.

a specified quantity of

Highlights that the serving size is predetermined or defined.

a recommended allowance of

Focuses on the advised or suggested amount of something, often in nutritional contexts.

a ration of

Implies a controlled or limited amount of something, often used in situations of scarcity.

FAQs

How to use "a serving of" in a sentence?

You can use "a serving of" to describe the recommended or typical amount of food or drink. For instance, "A serving of vegetables is essential for a balanced diet."

What can I say instead of "a serving of"?

Alternatives include "a portion of", "a helping of", or "an amount of", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a serving of" or "a serve of"?

"A serving of" is the correct and more common phrase. "A serve of" is less frequently used and may be considered grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

What's the difference between "a serving of" and "a portion of"?

While similar, "a serving of" often refers to a recommended or standardized amount, particularly in nutritional contexts, whereas "a portion of" is a more general term for a quantity of food.