be of service

USAGE SUMMARY

"be of service" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to be helpful or useful to someone. You can use it in a variety of situations, such as when offering assistance, expressing gratitude, or describing someone's helpfulness. Example: "Thank you for being of service and helping me move into my new apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I always wanted to be of service.

The New Yorker

It can be of service to everyone.

The Economist

Pleased to be of service.

The Guardian - Sport

Glad to be of service.

The Guardian - Sport

Banks would love to be of service to them.

The New York Times

"We try and be of service sir," the official said.

The Guardian

Said it was no trouble, glad to be of service.

The New Yorker

"I signed up to be of service, foreign and domestic.

The New Yorker

"Glad to be of service," the amiable Mr. Richardson said.

The New York Times

I'm happy to be of service to you".

The New Yorker

How can we be of service?' " Mr. Franklin recalled.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering help, use "be of service" to convey a genuine willingness to assist, especially in formal or professional contexts. For example, "How can I "be of service" today?"

Common error

Avoid using "be of service" in overly casual situations, as it can sound too formal or insincere. Opt for simpler phrases like "Can I help?" or "Is there anything I can do?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of service" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to offer assistance or express a willingness to help. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be of service" is a widely recognized and grammatically correct phrase used to express a willingness to help or assist. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase applicable in various scenarios. Its usage spans from news and media to more formal business contexts, conveying politeness and a genuine desire to meet someone's needs. While frequent, it's important to consider the context to avoid sounding overly formal. Alternatives like "provide assistance" or "offer help" may be more suitable in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide assistance

This alternative directly replaces the idiomatic expression with a more straightforward description of offering help.

offer help

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same sentiment of providing aid.

assist

A concise verb that conveys the act of helping or supporting someone.

be helpful

Focuses on the quality of being useful and supportive.

lend a hand

An idiomatic expression suggesting a willingness to help with a task.

accommodate

This suggests adapting to someone's needs or requests.

oblige

Suggests a sense of duty or willingness to fulfill a request.

cater to

Implies providing specific services or products to meet someone's needs.

attend to

Focuses on giving attention and care to someone's needs.

look after

Emphasizes care and responsibility in providing assistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "be of service" when offering assistance or expressing a desire to help. For example, "How can I "be of service" to you today?" or "I am happy to "be of service" to the community."

What can I say instead of "be of service"?

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

Is it better to say "be of service" or "provide a service"?

"Be of service" implies a general willingness to help, while "provide a service" suggests a specific offering. The best choice depends on the context of your message.

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

It's appropriate in formal, professional, or customer service contexts when you want to express a willingness to help or assist someone. It can also convey respect and a desire to meet someone's needs.