are served to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are served to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of providing food or drinks to someone, or in a broader context of delivering something to a recipient. Example: "The delicious meals are served to the guests at the banquet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Assorted chutneys and pickles are served to accompany the meal.

The New York Times

Oysters Rockefeller, lobster thermidor and beef stroganoff are served to dinner music.

The New York Times

In general, the best bottles are served to heads of state and monarchs.

The New York Times

There is no restaurant, but home-cooked meals are served to order.

The Guardian - Travel

Sparkling and still wine, beer and spirits are served to guests on request all day long.

The Guardian - Travel

On the day train, breakfast and lunch are served to first-class passengers.

The New York Times - Travel

Five thousand gallons are served to customers annually, and Sibilski makes her borscht in enormous batches, twice a week.

The New Yorker

Drinks, in cans and plastic cups, are served to sweaty, indie night owls by a couple well into their 50s.

The New York Times - Travel

So many of our services that we enjoy for free and with spontaneity are served to us via an algorithm.

The Guardian

An audio induction loop has been built into the main hall, where meals are served, to assist those with hearing aids.

The New York Times

Whole roast ducks are served to groups, bo ssam-style, but the solo diner can get a few slices in a bowl with rice and watercress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are served to", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is receiving the service. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction "are served to" with an active voice construction where the agent performing the serving action is unclear or irrelevant. The passive voice often emphasizes the recipient of the action, which is crucial in many contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are served to" functions primarily as a passive verb construction, indicating that something is being provided or delivered to a recipient. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from food service to advertising. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are served to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes the provision of something to a recipient. As confirmed by Ludwig, its applications span various contexts, notably news, science, and formal business settings. The phrase is useful for emphasizing the receiver of an action and maintaining a neutral tone. Remember to keep context clear when using "are served to" to emphasize the receiver of the action. While there are alternative phrases that express similar ideas, this particular construction maintains a consistent presence across multiple domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are provided for

Focuses on the act of supplying or making something available, rather than the action of serving.

are given to

Emphasizes the act of giving or bestowing something, which can be more general than serving.

are offered to

Highlights the act of presenting something for acceptance or rejection, implying a choice.

are supplied to

Stresses the act of furnishing or equipping with something necessary.

are distributed to

Indicates the act of spreading or allocating something among multiple recipients.

are allocated to

Focuses on assigning or designating something for a specific purpose or recipient.

are presented to

Highlights the act of formally introducing or showcasing something to someone.

are dispensed to

Suggests the act of distributing in measured portions, often used in a medical or formal context.

are furnished to

Implies the act of equipping or providing necessary items to someone or something.

are delivered to

Focuses on the act of transporting and handing something over to a recipient.

FAQs

How can I use "are served to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are served to" indicates that something is provided or delivered to someone or something. For example, "Meals are served to patients in the hospital" or "Advertisements are served to users based on their browsing history".

What are some alternatives to "are served to"?

You can use alternatives like "are provided for", "are given to", or "are offered to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are served to" or "are serving to"?

"Are served to" is the correct passive construction. "Are serving to" is a continuous tense and implies an ongoing action of serving, which may not be appropriate depending on the context. The former is more frequently used when something is generally provided, while the latter is for something in progress.

What's the difference between "are served to" and "are used for"?

"Are served to" implies that something is provided to a recipient, while "are used for" indicates the purpose or function of something. For example, "Meals are served to guests", whereas "Plates are used for serving food".