community service

USAGE SUMMARY

"community service" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to unpaid volunteer activities that aim to help people in a particular area or community. For example, "I'm doing a month of community service to help out at a local soup kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Community service.

The New York Times

(Both men performed community service).

The New Yorker

Community service or volunteer work?

The New York Times

"It's a community service.

The Guardian

A genuine community service".

The Guardian

I am community service".

The New York Times

Courses in volunteerism and community service.

The New York Times

His community service continued during his retirement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And a significant community-service project.

The New York Times

"'Community service hours 560.

Los Angeles Times

Community Service Organization.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about court-ordered "community service", be specific about the nature of the work performed to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "community service" loosely to describe any act of volunteering. "Community service" often implies a more structured or mandated activity, especially in legal contexts. Use the term "volunteering" for general unpaid work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "community service" primarily functions as a noun, often acting as the object of a sentence or clause. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where it refers to specific activities benefiting a community. It describes either mandated activities as part of a sentence, or voluntary contributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

17%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "community service" is a common phrase, generally regarded as correct and usable, referring to unpaid work benefiting a community. Ludwig's examples show its prevalent use in news, academic, and formal contexts, often denoting court-ordered sentences or voluntary contributions. The phrase's function is primarily as a noun, serving to describe these beneficial activities. While alternatives like "volunteer work" exist, "community service" carries a specific connotation of structured or mandated service, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Volunteer work

Focuses on the act of volunteering, emphasizing the individual's contribution.

Public service

Emphasizes service to the public, often implying a broader or governmental context.

Civic engagement

Highlights active participation in the affairs of a community or nation.

Charitable activities

Focuses on activities that benefit a charity or those in need.

Helping the community

A more general and informal way of expressing the act of assisting one's community.

Giving back to the community

Emphasizes repaying the community for benefits received.

Volunteer initiatives

Highlights organized programs focused on volunteerism.

Social responsibility

Focuses on ethical framework and duties towards a community.

Pro bono work

Specifically refers to professional services offered for free or at reduced cost.

Social action

Implies taking action to address social issues or improve community conditions.

FAQs

How is "community service" typically used in a sentence?

"Community service" is often used to describe unpaid work performed for the benefit of a community, such as "He was sentenced to 100 hours of "community service"." It can also describe volunteering in general.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "community service"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "volunteer work", "public service", or "civic engagement" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "community service" always related to punishment for a crime?

No, although "community service" is often assigned as a sentence in court, it can also refer to voluntary activities. The context usually clarifies whether it's mandatory or voluntary.

What's the difference between "community service" and "volunteering"?

"Volunteering" is a broad term for any unpaid work. "Community service" can be used synonymously but often implies a more structured program, especially when court-ordered. If the work is freely chosen, "volunteering" is often preferred.