be served upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be served upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that a document or notice is formally delivered to a person or entity. Example: "The notice shall be served upon the defendant in accordance with the court's order."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

A copy of such notice shall also be served upon the institution.

Cornell University

A copy of such application shall be served upon SIPC when filed.

Cornell University

Complimentary beverages will be served upon arrival, don't forget to put on your sunblock, and have a happy day!

The New Yorker

A copy of the decision shall be served upon the applicant and his or her attorney or representative of record.

Cornell University

A copy of the decision shall be served upon the petitioner and his or her attorney or representative of record.

Cornell University

The Sage of Concord may have brought the world to his table, but it was the melancholic Lidian who worried about what would be served upon it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The subpoena was served upon the Union at its offices.

Cornell University

The monitions were served upon Walsh within the jurisdiction of the court.

Cornell University

Notices were served upon me to the roller-coaster of Britten's Piano Diversions for Left Hand Alone.

The Guardian - Music

A copy of the Indictment in the German language was served upon each defendant in custody at least thirty days before the Trial opened.

Yale University

"Whenever such subpoenas shall have been served upon them, they will appear in court in answer thereto and respectfully decline to produce the records called for, on the ground of being prohibited therefrom by the regulations of this department.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal and formal writing, use "be served upon" to clearly indicate that a notice or document has been formally delivered to the intended recipient.

Common error

Avoid using "be served upon" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "given to" or "delivered to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be served upon" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of a formal action, typically the delivery of a legal document or notice. Ludwig's examples show this use across different legal and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

41%

News & Media

33%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be served upon" is a formal phrase primarily used in legal and official contexts to indicate the delivery of a notice, document, or other item to a recipient. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in academia and news media. When writing, reserve "be served upon" for situations where you want to emphasize the official nature of the delivery, and consider simpler alternatives like "be delivered to" in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be delivered to

Focuses on the action of delivering something rather than the formality of the service.

be presented to

Emphasizes the act of formally presenting something to someone.

be provided to

Highlights the act of supplying or furnishing something.

be furnished to

Similar to 'be provided to' but often implies a more official context.

be given to

A more general term for transferring possession.

be issued to

Suggests a formal release or distribution of something.

be administered to

Implies a controlled or regulated distribution.

be supplied to

Focuses on the act of making something available.

be dispatched to

Emphasizes the sending of something to a specific destination.

be communicated to

Highlights the act of making something known to someone.

FAQs

How is "be served upon" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "be served upon" indicates that a legal document, such as a subpoena or notice, has been formally delivered to the intended recipient, adhering to specific legal procedures.

What are some alternatives to "be served upon" in less formal situations?

For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "be delivered to", "be given to", or "be presented to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "be served upon" and "be delivered to"?

"Be served upon" typically implies a formal or legal delivery, while "be delivered to" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily carry the same legal weight.

When is it appropriate to use "be served upon" instead of a simpler phrase?

Use "be served upon" when you want to emphasize the formal and often legal nature of the delivery of a document or notice. In other contexts, simpler phrases like "be given to" or "be provided to" may be more appropriate.