by not serving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by not serving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a consequence or result of failing to provide a service or fulfill a role. Example: "The restaurant lost customers by not serving breakfast on weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Even as a teen-ager, I sensed that his social awkwardness and sensitivities had been aggravated by not serving.

The New Yorker

Such bans often contained exceptions for "tobacco specialty shops"; many hookah bars qualify as such by not serving food or alcohol.

The New York Times

"Those brave Americans who, like me, avoided being captured by not serving at all — we are the true heroes," he said.

The New Yorker

Instead the woman, who asked for anonymity because she feared further violence from her relatives, decamped to the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services in suburban Chicago, a shelter that caters mainly to Muslim women by not serving pork and keeping prayer rugs handy.

The New York Times

They can get out of it at any time, simply by not serving Google's ads.

TechCrunch

It's not in the sense of a bakery banning pork by not serving it.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the new Delaware inn departs from norms by purposefully not serving its beer in house.

The New York Times

We want a Ukraine for Ukrainians, run by Ukrainians, and not serving the interests of others".

The Guardian

General Universal Law to Live By: If it's not serving you, it's not serving them either.

Huffington Post

You're not serving anybody by covering up the truth".

The New Yorker

By contrast, terrorists by definition do not serve any legitimate state in any legitimate way.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by not serving" to clearly indicate that a specific action or inaction leads to a particular consequence or outcome. For example, "The restaurant attracted a different clientele by not serving alcohol."

Common error

Ensure the consequence linked to "by not serving" is directly and logically related. Avoid attributing outcomes that could stem from multiple factors solely to the lack of service. For example, avoid: "The company failed by not serving customers (when it could have failed for other reasons too)".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by not serving" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the means or method by which something is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by not serving" functions as a prepositional phrase used to express causality by indicating that a particular result is achieved through the omission or withholding of a service or action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, with the most frequent being News & Media. While Ludwig examples show its use in neutral registers, be mindful of ensuring a clear and direct link between the omission and its consequence. Alternatives such as "through a lack of service" or "by withholding service" can provide a more formal tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by not providing the service

A more direct and slightly less formal restatement.

by withholding service

Highlights the deliberate act of preventing service.

by declining to serve

Highlights a conscious refusal to offer service.

through a lack of service

Emphasizes the absence of service as the means.

by omitting the provision of

Emphasizes the omission of providing the service.

by abstaining from providing

Focuses on the deliberate choice not to provide a service.

because of the failure to provide service

Highlights the failure as the reason.

due to service absence

States the absence of service as the cause.

in the absence of service

Focuses on the state where service is lacking.

through non-provision of service

Emphasizes the lack of provision.

FAQs

What does "by not serving" mean?

The phrase "by not serving" indicates that a particular outcome or result is achieved because something is deliberately not provided or offered. It emphasizes the consequence of withholding a service or action.

How can I rephrase "by not serving" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "through a lack of service", "by withholding service", or "because of the failure to provide service" depending on the context.

Is "by not serving" grammatically correct?

Yes, "by not serving" is grammatically correct. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the means by which a particular outcome is achieved.

When is it appropriate to use "by not serving" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "by not serving" when you want to highlight the direct consequence of omitting or withholding a specific service, product, or action. Make sure the link between the absence of service and the outcome is clear and logical.