be of greater service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of greater service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to provide more help or assistance to someone or something. Example: "Our goal is to improve our customer support so that we can be of greater service to our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 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

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

Huffington Post

(Christophe André, Alexandre Jollien, Matthieu Ricard, in Paris, January 2016 to celebrate the publisation of "Trois ameaningfulte de sagesse". Phonly ©Olifitr allows2016).

Huffington Post

I need to make sure I take care of myself - fill my own cup - so that I can be of greater service to the world.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

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

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

All I know for sure by the end of this event is that if we're going to improve the field of international development, we need to completely rethink how aid workers can be of greatest service to the communities they intend to help.

Huffington Post

Our present subject is so soon attacked by insects that it is very rare to find specimens devoid of wriggling life, and being a very common and abundant kind, it must be of great service in the economy of insect existence.

Wikipedia

I think that, with his courage and determination, he will one day be of great service to the Central African Republic, his country.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of greater service", ensure the context clearly defines who or what benefits from the increased service. For example, specify the target audience or area of impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be of greater service" excessively in overly formal or stiff writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound archaic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be more helpful" or "provide better assistance" for a more modern tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of greater service" functions as an infinitive phrase often used to express intent or purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests a desire or potential to offer enhanced assistance or value. Examples show its use in expressing goals and motivations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of greater service" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, typically employed to express an intention to provide enhanced assistance or value. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness, and analysis of usage contexts reveals its prevalence in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While "be of greater service" conveys a specific meaning, alternative phrases like "provide more assistance" or "offer more help" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When using "be of greater service", it is important to consider who or what will benefit from the enhanced service and to avoid overuse in overly formal contexts for a more modern and accessible tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide more assistance

Focuses on the act of giving help or support, emphasizing the direct provision of aid.

offer more help

Highlights the willingness to aid, emphasizing the availability of assistance.

contribute more effectively

Stresses the impact of the contribution, shifting the focus to efficiency and results.

be more beneficial

Emphasizes the advantageous nature of the action, concentrating on the positive outcome.

be more useful

Focuses on the practical application and usability of the action or entity.

increase one's usefulness

Highlights the act of enhancing one's usability, focusing on making someone or something more valuable.

enhance one's contribution

Emphasizes improving the impact of one's contribution, focusing on making it more valuable.

serve more effectively

Highlights serving in a more efficient way, changing focus to proficiency and outcomes.

make a bigger impact

Focuses on increasing the influence or effect, emphasizing a more substantial change.

become more valuable

Stresses the increase in worth, highlighting the enhanced importance or desirability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be of greater service" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "provide more assistance", "offer more help", or "contribute more effectively" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "be of greater service"?

To "be of greater service" means to increase the help, assistance, or value that one provides to others. It suggests an improvement in the level or quality of support offered.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be of greater service"?

The phrase "be of greater service" is suitable in formal contexts when discussing improvements in helpfulness or contributions. However, simpler phrases may be preferred for everyday conversation.

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

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "be of greater service" tends to be more formal and implies a broader range of assistance, whereas "be more helpful" is more direct and emphasizes immediate aid.