be of service to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of service to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when offering help or assistance to someone. Example: "I am here to be of service to you in any way you need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can be of service to everyone.

The Economist

Let us be of service to you.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Banks would love to be of service to them.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

I'm just looking to be of service to you".

Independent

Go overboard to be of service to your boss.

Harvard Business Review

"I have always tried to be of service to the French people.

The Guardian

I don't want to be of service to anyone or anything.

The New Yorker

My intention is to be of service to the Chinese people".

The New York Times

The hotel management is only too glad to be of service to a neighbor".

The New Yorker

I look elsewhere for alternatives that might be of service to humanity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when choosing this phrase; while widely accepted, it can sound slightly formal, especially in casual settings.

Common error

Avoid using "be of service to" in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "help" or "assist" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can create distance with your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of service to" primarily functions as a predicative adjective phrase, indicating a state or willingness to provide assistance or help. This aligns with Ludwig AI's observation that it's a correct and usable expression. Examples on Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts from offering professional services to expressing personal intentions to assist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be of service to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for offering assistance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its meaning is clear, its slightly formal tone makes it more suited to professional, official, or neutral contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples across News & Media, Scientific, and Business sources. When aiming for a casual tone, simpler alternatives like "help" or "assist" may be more appropriate. Remember to tailor the phrase to the specific context to ensure clarity and avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist

A more concise way of expressing the same idea.

aid

Similar to 'assist' but can also imply emergency help.

provide help to

Directly states the provision of help.

offer assistance to

Focuses on the act of providing assistance.

be helpful to

Highlights the quality of being helpful.

do a service for

Indicates performing an action to benefit someone.

support

Implies providing aid or resources to someone.

lend a hand to

Emphasizes the act of helping, often in a practical sense.

oblige

Suggests a sense of duty or willingness to help.

accommodate

Focuses on fulfilling someone's needs or requests.

FAQs

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

You can use "be of service to" to offer help or assistance, such as "I am here to be of service to you" or "Our company aims to be of service to the community".

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

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

Is it better to say "be of service to" or simply "help"?

While both are correct, "be of service to" is more formal and may be suitable for professional or official settings, whereas "help" is more casual and appropriate for everyday conversation.

How does "be of service to" differ from "be of assistance to"?

The phrases "be of service to" and "be of assistance to" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both convey a willingness to help, but "be of service to" can sometimes imply a more comprehensive or dedicated level of support.