besides serving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides serving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce an additional function or role that something or someone has, in addition to the primary one mentioned. Example: "Besides serving as the team leader, she also manages the project budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The membrane, besides serving as a support, is a strong absorbent for dissolved organics.

Nanotechnology Applications for Clean Water Solutions for Improving Water Quality

But I would hope there is another way besides serving unregulated food to children at play.

The New York Times

The light emitting diode (LED) based lighting systems can be used for creation of the indoor communication network for sending information besides serving its main purpose of illumination.

Physical Communication

Under the present system, Indonesia's police and military serve a dual role, called dwifungsi: besides serving the government, they are also a part of it.

The Economist

Mr. Haass, 51, has held several academic and policy jobs, including director of foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution, besides serving under every president since President Reagan.

The New York Times

"I personally don't know whether this is acceptable according to religious traditions," said Samdhong Rinpoche, who, besides serving as prime minister, is also a monk.

The New York Times

Instead, besides serving on the boards of companies like General Mills, Unisys and Pillsbury, he became a mentor to many small start-up retailers.

The New York Times

But besides serving as a bit of trivia, did it actually mean anything on the ground?

Los Angeles Times

This sort of tabloid speculation doesn't help anyone; besides serving as another example of the dangers of widespread gun ownership, there's probably not a lesson here.

Vice

In Indianapolis, besides serving as crime watchers, Guardian Angels also give out blankets, hats and gloves to homeless people as the temperatures drop, Indianapolis's News 6 reports.

Huffington Post

RT-PCR of 16S rRNA housekeeping gene was used as RT-PCR control besides serving as a non iron regulated gene control.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the additional role introduced by "besides serving" is logically connected to the main function being discussed to maintain coherence.

Common error

Avoid using "besides serving" when the intended meaning is a contrast or alternative, rather than an addition. "Instead of serving" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides serving" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an additional role, purpose, or function of the subject within a sentence. It augments the primary action with a secondary attribute. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "besides serving" functions as a versatile prepositional phrase to introduce additional roles or functions, adding depth and detail to descriptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards professional and formal settings. Effective usage involves ensuring logical connections between the primary and secondary functions, while avoiding its application in contexts requiring contrast rather than addition. Remember to leverage alternatives like "in addition to serving" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to serving

Replaces "besides" with "in addition to", emphasizing the additive nature of the role.

as well as serving

Uses "as well as" instead of "besides", offering a slightly more informal tone.

along with serving

Replaces "besides" with "along with", highlighting the simultaneous performance of multiple roles.

apart from serving

Uses "apart from" to indicate an additional function, slightly distancing it from the primary one.

on top of serving

Emphasizes that the additional function is added to an already existing one.

beyond simply serving

Highlights that the function extends beyond just 'serving'.

over and above serving

Indicates that the function surpasses the basic act of 'serving'.

not only serving, but also

Emphasizes two distinct functions, using a correlative conjunction structure.

supplementing its service as

Focuses on the additional function as a supplement to its existing service.

furthermore, it serves as

Uses "furthermore" to introduce an additional service or function.

FAQs

How can I use "besides serving" in a sentence?

"Besides serving" is used to introduce an additional role or function. For example, "Besides serving as the team leader, she also manages the project budget."

What are some alternatives to "besides serving"?

Alternatives include "in addition to serving", "as well as serving", or "apart from serving".

Is "besides serving" formal or informal?

"Besides serving" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The overall tone of your writing will dictate the most appropriate choice.

Can "besides serving" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "besides serving" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce an additional point or function. For example, "Besides serving as a mentor, he also provides financial support."