calling to serve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calling to serve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone expresses a desire or obligation to help others or contribute to a cause. Example: "After years of working in the corporate sector, she felt a strong calling to serve her community through volunteer work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

With Mr. Mace, I felt a calling to serve; in my case, prompted by the attacks of 9/11.

The New York Times

His pro-bono practice was an intrinsic part of his life calling to serve, to heal, to comfort, to dignify and to extract wisdom from any circumstance.

The New York Times

"They had a calling to serve the poorest of the poor, and Afghanistan is where that calling took them," she said.

The New York Times

Three hundred years ago, the Puritans tied the worldly calling to strive and make money to the heavenly calling to serve God.

The New York Times - Magazine

His appointment as bishop of Grantham was made on the basis of his skills and calling to serve the church in the diocese of Lincoln.

The Guardian

For some young people, looming debts mean eschewing a calling to serve a particularly needy, less lucrative patient population or practice, and instead pursuing a well-compensated subspecialty that caters to the comfortably insured.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I've been called to serve".

The New Yorker

Call to serve: I joined the military after high school.

The New York Times

We are all called to serve on different levels.

The New York Times

Comment about hanging around City Court waiting to be called to serve on the jury.

The New Yorker

And this time, he said, more reservists and National Guard troops were called to serve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "calling to serve", ensure the context clearly indicates a deeply felt sense of purpose or duty, often related to helping others or a greater cause.

Common error

Avoid using "calling to serve" to describe ordinary job roles. This phrase implies a vocation or deep commitment beyond basic employment duties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling to serve" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a strong internal motivation or sense of purpose driving someone towards service.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calling to serve" is a phrase used to express a deep-seated sense of purpose and dedication to helping others. While grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig AI identifies it as uncommon in everyday language, frequently appearing in News & Media contexts. The phrase suggests a strong, often spiritual or moral, motivation beyond simple employment, implying a vocation. Related phrases include "commitment to serve" and "sense of duty". When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a meaningful commitment rather than a mere job description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commitment to serve

This indicates a dedicated and steadfast promise to provide service.

inner drive to serve

This indicates a strong, intrinsic motivation to provide service.

dedication to helping

Emphasizes a focused and loyal effort toward assisting others.

vocation to help

This highlights a professional or life calling specifically centered around assisting others.

mission to aid

This emphasizes a directed effort or goal to provide assistance.

sense of duty

This phrase refers to a feeling of moral obligation to fulfill a responsibility.

sense of purpose

This captures the feeling of having a meaningful role or direction in life, particularly one involving service.

urge to assist

This captures a strong, impulsive feeling to help others.

desire to contribute

This focuses on the willingness and wish to add value or support a cause.

compelled to act

Highlights the feeling of being forced or driven to take action, typically for a greater good.

FAQs

What does it mean to have a "calling to serve"?

Having a "calling to serve" implies a strong, often spiritual or moral, sense of purpose that drives someone to dedicate themselves to helping others or contributing to a cause.

How can I use "calling to serve" in a sentence?

You can use "calling to serve" to describe someone's deep motivation for their work. For example: "She felt a strong "calling to serve" the underprivileged in her community."

What are some alternatives to "calling to serve"?

Alternatives to "calling to serve" include "commitment to serve", "sense of duty", or "vocation to help", depending on the specific context.

Is "calling to serve" a formal or informal expression?

"Calling to serve" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often carries a more profound and meaningful connotation than a simple desire to help. Its formality depends on the surrounding language and context.