has been served

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been served" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that an action has been completed. For example: "The chef has served the dinner guests their meals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

JULY: My purpose has been served.

The New York Times

The purpose has been served.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm happy that justice has been served.

The New York Times

Anxiang Du deserves what he receives, justice has been served".

Independent

"Justice has been served today," they said in a statement.

The New York Times

But youth, at least, has been served in high style.

The New York Times

An enforcement notice has been served against AIQ.

The Guardian

Do you feel that justice has been served?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Justice has been served.

The New York Times

For most of history, foie gras has been served chilled in terrines.

Los Angeles Times

This will make it easier on you when your suspension has been served.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been served" to indicate the completion of a process or action, particularly when something is presented or delivered, or when justice or a sentence is carried out.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice with "has been served" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The notice has been served by the lawyer", consider "The lawyer served the notice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been served" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies that an action has been completed. The examples confirm its role in indicating that something has been delivered, fulfilled, or completed, be it justice, food, or a legal notice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been served" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action has been completed or that something has been delivered or provided. Its usage spans across various contexts, from legal and culinary to general announcements of completion. The phrase finds frequent use in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, the formality can increase based on the context. When writing, remember to avoid overuse of the passive voice for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been completed

Replaces "served" with a more general term for finishing an action.

has been fulfilled

Focuses on the completion of a requirement or expectation.

has been delivered

Implies that something has been brought to its intended recipient or place.

has been provided

Highlights the act of making something available.

has been rendered

Suggests that a service or action has been performed.

has been executed

Emphasizes the performance or carrying out of a plan or order.

has been discharged

Indicates the completion of a duty or obligation.

has been administered

Focuses on the management or provision of something, such as justice or a test.

has been satisfied

Implies that a need or requirement has been met.

has been honored

Used when a commitment or agreement has been fulfilled.

FAQs

How is "has been served" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "has been served" typically means that a legal document, such as a summons or subpoena, has been officially delivered to the intended recipient, ensuring they are notified of a legal action.

What are some alternatives to "justice has been served"?

If you want to express satisfaction with a just outcome, you could say "justice was done", "the verdict is fair", or "the right outcome prevailed".

When is it appropriate to use "has been served" in a culinary context?

In culinary contexts, "has been served" indicates that food or drinks have been presented to the diners. For example, "Dinner has been served" means the meal is ready to be eaten.

Is "the purpose has been served" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the purpose has been served" is grammatically correct. It means that the intended goal or function has been achieved or fulfilled.