be of great service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of great service" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the idea of being helpful or beneficial to someone or something. Example: "I hope my skills and experience will be of great service to the team as we tackle this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

(Imprimerie Héritiers Botta, Rome, 1879), which will be of great service to meteorologists generally.

Nature

He said he told Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi that he had "real admiration" for her courage and that he believed she would be of "great service to humanity".

The New York Times

The book now under review is based on lectures given in the University of Cambridge and is essentially designed for the use of students, but will be found to be of great service to astronomers also.

Nature

Religious leaders would be of great service to this nation if they preached to their followers beyond their particular theology how to respect other religions, and most important, emphasized the unique and special democratic principles and civil liberties of this country.

The New York Times

It is hoped that this volume will be of great service to all those who serve the people of God in the ministry of justice, and that these contributions will truly be a help in understanding and applying the new norms.

Stanford University

Goldberg's sage thoughts on the matter will be of great service to society on this frontier of tech-dependency". Charlotte Capaldo is a writer and caregiver out of Berkeley, CA. Her passion for people and robots alike keeps her rising to the challenge of clearly rendering the complexities of life.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Now Mr. Nethercutt wonders whether he might be of greater service to his state in some other, bigger job, perhaps as governor or United States senator.

The New York Times

But when Election 2000 rolled around, Mr. Nethercutt broke that promise, saying he felt he could be of greater service to his state by remaining inside the Beltway.

The New York Times

Despite his obvious excellence in this new field one wonders whether in the long run Dravid may be of greater service to Indian cricket trying to run it rather than talk about it.

The Guardian - Sport

How might you better employ your talents, expertise, resources and hard-won wisdom to be of greater service for others?

Forbes

I am choosing to be motivated by it, to be of greater service.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of great service", ensure the context clearly defines who or what benefits from the service. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "be of great service" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be helpful" or "assist you" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of great service" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating the quality or characteristic of a subject. It describes the extent to which someone or something is helpful or beneficial. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be of great service" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a high degree of helpfulness or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its appropriateness across various contexts. While versatile, it leans toward formal usage and should be used judiciously in casual conversation. Alternatives like "be very helpful" or "be extremely useful" can provide similar meanings with different nuances. The expression appears frequently in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a tremendous help

This alternative uses a different adjective to emphasize the degree of help.

be very helpful

This alternative is shorter and more direct, focusing on the helpfulness aspect.

be extremely useful

This alternative emphasizes the utility and value provided.

be highly beneficial

This alternative emphasizes the positive outcomes and advantages.

be a significant asset

This alternative highlights the value as a resource or advantage.

be of substantial assistance

This alternative is more formal and highlights the support provided.

be of practical assistance

This alternative emphasizes the hands-on and functional aspect of the service.

be invaluable

This alternative suggests the service is priceless and essential.

be a boon

This alternative suggests that the service is a welcome benefit or advantage.

make a valuable contribution

This alternative frames the service as an important input or addition.

FAQs

How can I use "be of great service" in a sentence?

You can use "be of great service" to express that something or someone will be very helpful or beneficial. For example, "I hope my skills will "be of great service" to the team".

What are some alternatives to "be of great service"?

Alternatives include "be very helpful", "be extremely useful", or "be a significant asset", depending on the specific context.

Is "be of great service" formal or informal?

"Be of great service" leans towards a more formal register. In informal settings, using phrases like "be very helpful" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "be of great service" and "be of greater service"?

"Be of great service" indicates a high level of usefulness. "Be of greater service" suggests an increased or superior level of usefulness compared to something else.