he served under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he served under" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone worked or was subordinate to a particular person, often in a military or organizational context. Example: "He served under General Smith during the war and learned valuable leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He served under General Patton.

The Guardian

He served under Mark Warner.

The New Yorker

He served under a Republican governor, Louie B. Nunn.

The New York Times

From the outset he served under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

Britannica

He served under the former chief executive, Kent Kresa.

The New York Times

He served under Kakuei Tanaka, not Noboru Takeshita.

The New York Times

He served under four United States attorneys during his tenure.

The New York Times

He served under four Foreign Ministers before he got the job himself, in 1968.

The New Yorker

He served under Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford, in the invasion of Scotland in 1544.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He served under General Don Carlos Buell and was offered but refused the chief command.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the next year he served under Boscawen at the taking of Louisburg (Cape Breton).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he served under" to clearly indicate a hierarchical relationship, especially in military, governmental, or organizational contexts. This phrase succinctly conveys that one person was in a subordinate role to another.

Common error

Avoid using "he served under" in contexts where there isn't a clear superior-subordinate relationship. For instance, it's less appropriate for describing collaboration among peers or voluntary associations where authority isn't inherent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he served under" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship of subordination or employment. Ludwig provides numerous examples across different domains showing how it connects an individual to a superior within a hierarchical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he served under" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express a subordinate relationship, particularly in professional, military, or political contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. It is most frequently encountered in news media, encyclopedias, and academic writing, indicating a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that a clear hierarchical relationship exists. For alternatives, consider phrases like "he worked for" or "he was subordinate to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he worked for

A more general way to express employment or subordination.

he was subordinate to

This emphasizes the hierarchical structure and the person's position in it.

he was employed by

This focuses on the employment aspect, highlighting the formal relationship between the two individuals.

he was under the command of

This is specific to military or leadership contexts, highlighting direct authority.

he reported to

This emphasizes the reporting structure and accountability.

he was in the service of

Implies a formal commitment or duty to a person or entity.

he was a member of

Focuses on the belonging to a group or team.

he functioned under

Highlights the operational aspect of working within a system or structure.

he assisted

Emphasizes providing help and support to a superior.

he was mentored by

Focuses on the guidance and training received from a more experienced individual.

FAQs

How can I use "he served under" in a sentence?

Use "he served under" to indicate that someone worked in a subordinate role to another person, particularly in military, political, or organizational contexts. For example, "He served under General Patton during World War II."

What are some alternatives to "he served under"?

You can use alternatives like "he worked for", "he was subordinate to", or "he reported to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he served with" instead of "he served under"?

While "he served with" indicates that someone worked alongside another person, "he served under" specifies a hierarchical relationship where one person was in a position of authority over the other. The correct choice depends on the specific relationship you're describing.

Which is correct, "he served under" or "he was served under"?

"He served under" is the correct and active form. "He was served under" is grammatically incorrect. The active voice is preferred for clarity and directness.