as he serves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he serves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone performing a duty or function while simultaneously engaging in another action. Example: "As he serves the customers, he also takes the time to chat with them and build rapport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The chapter ends with an epilogue, describing the conditions of the engineer as he serves his time after getting caught.

Stealing the Network: How to Own the Box

Federer completes the hold with an ace as he serves out to 15.

The Guardian - Sport

The opening scene expertly nails the mechanical work routine Gregor follows as he serves his masters and supports his family.

The Guardian

Photograph: Sergei Grits/ AP And keeps his eye on the ball as he serves to win the match.

The Guardian - Sport

At the beginning, a series of screaming six-note sonorities frames the icily detached voice of the lord — called the Protector — as he serves his cannibal dish.

The New Yorker

The new president will face a host of challenges as he serves out the rest of Mr. Chavez's term, which began in January.

The New York Times

Critics say Mr. Trump faces conflicts of interest by continuing to hold on to his real estate business even as he serves in the White House.

The New York Times

Then Andy works him round the court for a 30-0 lead, few nerves early on as he serves for the set.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Libby was left with a $250,000 fine, which has been paid as he serves out two years of probation.

The New York Times

He plans to remain on the Avaya board as he serves as Lucent's interim head while it conducts a search for another chief executive.

The New York Times

Mr. Damhave speaks articulately about the perils of voyeurism and the national obsession with "Survivor" as he serves up someone else's old church dress.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as he serves" to clearly indicate that someone is performing a duty concurrently with another activity, providing context to their actions.

Common error

Avoid misusing "as he serves" in situations where the individual is being acted upon, rather than actively performing a service. For example, do not say "as he serves a sentence" when you mean "while he is serving a sentence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he serves" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and indicating that an action is happening concurrently with the act of serving. This is supported by Ludwig examples where the phrase introduces a clause describing what someone does during their service.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sport

15%

Books

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as he serves" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate concurrent actions, where someone's service or role provides the backdrop. As shown by Ludwig, the expression is frequently found in news and media, sports, and book contexts, with a neutral register making it appropriate for a wide variety of writing styles. With a correctness status confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s safe to say this phrase is a valuable addition to your writing toolbox. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by using it to connect an action to someone's ongoing duty, role or sentence. Be mindful to use it for when individuals are actively performing a service.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while he is serving

Replaces "as" with "while", emphasizing the simultaneous nature of the actions.

during his tenure

Focuses on the period of service or term in a specific role.

in his capacity as

Highlights the official role or position held during the service.

as he is employed

Emphasizes the employment aspect of the service being performed.

as he carries out his duties

Highlights the active performance of responsibilities.

while fulfilling his role

Focuses on the act of meeting the expectations of a specific role.

in the course of his service

Emphasizes the progression and duration of the service.

during his active service

Highlights that the service is ongoing and operational.

as long as he is in office

Specifically refers to a political or official term of service.

whilst he officiates

Focuses on formal or ceremonial duties.

FAQs

How can I use "as he serves" in a sentence?

Use "as he serves" to show simultaneous actions, such as "As he serves on the board, he advocates for sustainable practices".

What phrases are similar to "as he serves"?

Alternatives include "while he is serving", "during his tenure", or "in his capacity as", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "as he serves his time"?

Yes, it's correct when referring to someone completing a period of required duty or sentence, like "as he serves his time in prison".

What's the difference between "as he serves" and "while he serves"?

Both phrases indicate simultaneous actions, but "as he serves" can sometimes imply a stronger connection between the service and the concurrent action compared to "while he serves".