being served a meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being served a meal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of receiving food, typically in a restaurant or during a gathering. Example: "After a long day of travel, we were grateful for being served a meal at the hotel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The concept behind the restaurant, he explained, is to "give families the dignity of sitting and being served a meal" even if they can't afford it.

The New York Times

The bill is a long shot, but it does raise the question of what defines of the restaurant experience: the act of being served a meal in a commercial place or the quality of what's put on the plate.

The New York Times

The sight and sound of so many Republicans to choose among (even the shrinking number of viable ones, who will be on view Thursday night) may remind you of being served a meal that no one remembers having ordered.

The New Yorker

This prompts others to share their mayonnaise crimes: Kate Chernyshov, a Brit who lived in Russia in the early 90s, described going to friend and being served a meal od Brussels sprouts and mayonnaise.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a crossover design, on 4 different occasions subjects were served a meal consisting of 7 foods that differed in energy density (ED).

Appetite

Patrons eating there next week will be served a meal of the same high quality as the one they had five years ago.

The New York Times

His father owned a barber shop, and in the old days, his mother ran the cafe out front, the only place in town, Ms. Logan said, where blacks could sit and be served a meal.

The New York Times

They sent a portrait of the queen to the less beautiful Elizabeth, and produced dinner plates celebrating Mary's supremacy over France and the British Isles at one point, the English ambassador was served a meal on these plates.

The Economist

It is hard to feel sorry for someone who was served a meal of hotdogs and caviar by his butler on his private jet as he headed to the penitentiary.

The Economist

In July, McGinnes took a spot of culinary direct-action and began requesting a plate whenever he was served a meal whose dish seemed to hail from a garden centre.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As the film's heroine, Belle is served a meal in the form of "a Broadway-quality stage show".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates who is performing the service to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "being served a meal" when the emphasis is solely on eating or consuming food, rather than the act of service. In such cases, alternatives like "eating a meal" or "dining" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Being served a meal functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes an action (receiving food) with emphasis on the service provided. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being served a meal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the act of receiving food within a context of service. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its use is prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is more frequently used when highlighting the service aspect rather than simple consumption. Alternatives like "receiving a meal" or "having a meal served" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receiving a meal

Focuses on the action of getting the meal, slightly less emphasis on the service aspect.

having a meal served

Emphasizes that someone is performing the service.

getting a meal provided

Highlights the act of provision of the meal

dining

More concise and general, implying the entire experience of eating.

having dinner provided

Highlights that someone is providing the dinner

being presented with a meal

Emphasizes the presentation aspect of receiving the meal.

having food brought to you

Focuses on the physical action of bringing the food.

being given a meal

Highlights the act of giving someone a meal.

partaking in a meal

A more formal and literary way of saying eating a meal.

enjoying a served meal

Focuses on the enjoyment of the meal that is being served.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being served a meal" to sound more formal?

You might consider using "receiving a meal" or "partaking in a meal" for a more formal tone. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. For example, "partaking in a meal" adds a touch of elegance.

What's the difference between "being served a meal" and simply "eating a meal"?

"Being served a meal" emphasizes the act of someone providing the food service. "Eating a meal" focuses solely on the consumption of food, without any implication of service. The former highlights the act of "receiving a meal", while the latter simply means you are consuming it.

Is "being served a meal" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being served a meal" is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the gerund "being" followed by the passive voice construction "served a meal", which is a standard and acceptable grammatical form.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "being served a meal"?

It is most appropriate in contexts where you want to highlight the act of service, such as in a restaurant, at a catered event, or when someone is providing you with food. If you are talking about a general act of eating, it may be more appropriate to use "eating a meal".