avoid serving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid serving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of refraining from providing a service or offering something to someone. Example: "To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to avoid serving unhealthy snacks at parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Air Force said he did so to avoid serving.

The New York Times

Both George Bush and Dick Cheney somehow managed to avoid serving in Vietnam.

The Economist

If they have a problem with that, they should avoid serving or step down when appropriate.

The New York Times

Mr. Qosi, who is Sudanese, wanted to avoid serving his sentence in solitary confinement.

The New York Times

I am tired of friends telling me how I could avoid serving.

The New York Times

He has learned through experience, though, that you want to avoid serving only high-octane drinks like martinis and manhattans.

The New York Times - Food

Finally, some political analysts are still wondering whether Mr. Berlusconi, in the end, will avoid serving his full sentence.

The New York Times

Every ultra-Orthodox man who so wished, it seemed, could avoid serving the mandatory three years in the army.

The New Yorker

He was trying to avoid serving in the military during the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan 21 years ago.

The New York Times

After being overthrown in a 2006 military coup, Thaksin fled to avoid serving a two-year prison sentence for corruption.

The Guardian

Dr. Ver Hoeve appears to be cooperating with officials to avoid serving jail time, Mr. McNamara said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "avoid serving" certain foods due to allergies, be specific about potential cross-contamination issues.

Common error

Be precise in your meaning. "Serving" can refer to food, legal sentences, or duties. Ensure the context clearly indicates which type of "serving" you are advising someone to avoid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid serving" functions as a verb phrase that typically expresses the action of preventing or refraining from offering or providing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples include avoiding serving certain foods due to allergies, or avoiding military service.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

15%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Health

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid serving" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to express refraining from offering something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts. It's frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Science with a neutral register. To ensure clarity, be mindful of the context to specify the type of "serving" you're referring to, whether it's food, duties, or legal sentences. Alternatives like "refrain from providing" or "steer clear of offering" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from providing

Focuses on the act of abstaining from giving or offering something.

steer clear of offering

Implies actively trying to stay away from offering something.

evade performing

Highlights the act of escaping or dodging the performance of a duty or task.

get out of providing

Indicates finding a way to not have to provide something.

escape from undertaking

Emphasizes the act of getting away from beginning or committing to something.

dodge fulfilling

Suggests cleverly avoiding the completion of a responsibility.

abstain from rendering

Formal way of expressing the act of voluntarily choosing not to provide a service.

bypass rendering

Implies finding a way around delivering or providing a service.

circumvent executing

Highlights using cleverness or deception to avoid carrying out a task.

shirk carrying out

Suggests neglecting or avoiding a duty that one is supposed to do.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid serving" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid serving" when you want to express the act of preventing or refraining from offering something, such as "To accommodate guests with dietary restrictions, we should avoid serving dishes containing nuts".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "avoid serving"?

Alternatives include "refrain from providing", "steer clear of offering", or "evade performing", depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to "avoid serving"?

Not necessarily. "Avoid serving" is neutral; its connotation depends on the context. For example, airlines might "avoid serving" peanuts on flights to protect passengers with allergies, which is a positive action.

What's the difference between "avoid serving" and "refuse to serve"?

"Avoid serving" implies taking steps to prevent offering something, perhaps due to policy or consideration. "Refuse to serve" indicates a direct denial of service, potentially due to personal reasons or ethical considerations.