it serves as a source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it serves as a source" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that provides information, inspiration, or material for a particular purpose. Example: "The research paper is comprehensive, and it serves as a source for many future studies in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The range is known for its variety of minerals and its recreational appeal, and it serves as a source region for headstreams of the Cache la Poudre and Colorado rivers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This vegetational diversity is fundamental to biological control when it serves as a source of habitat and nutritional resources.

Crop Protection

Earlier this year, an Islamist website called on Muslims to "do everything possible to strengthen the jihadist front in Yemen as it serves as a source of back-up and reinforcement for operations in the Land of the Two Mosques [Saudi Arabia]." Some Muslims are heeding the call.

BBC

It serves as a source of criteria with relevance to everyday practice and experience.

BMC Family Practice

Bald cypress is the cornerstone species in the aptly named "cypress swamps" where it serves as a source of food and shelter for numerous and sundry organisms [ 3].

BMC Genomics

The ECM is also thought to be involved in activation of dormant cells, as it serves as a source of growth and survival signals.

Clinical and Experimental Metastasis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the severity of the threat remained a subject of debate, and Mr. Davis's decision to disclose it served as a source of irritation, if not anger, among some state and federal law enforcement officials.

The New York Times

We spoke with Tobias Leingruber, the Demo Party organizer about the project's goals and aspirations, as well as the original demoscene, and how it served as a source of inspiration for the ambitious project.

Vice

Neither does it serve as a source of reference on study design and data analysis.

European Journal of Epidemiology

Why it's important: Facebook's main product is literally called "News Feed," and it serves as a major source of information for a non-trivial portion of the planet.

TechCrunch

It serves as a food source for people around the world and as a model organism in genetics research [ 42].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally replacing "it serves as a source" with synonyms like "it functions as a resource" or "it acts as a provider" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "it serves as a source" when the subject passively contains something rather than actively providing or generating it. For example, it is more accurate to say "The document contains data" than "The document serves as a source of data" if the document isn't actively used to extract data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it serves as a source" primarily functions as a predicate nominative, linking a subject to a noun phrase that renames or describes it. It indicates the role or purpose of something, as seen in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it serves as a source" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the function of something that provides information, materials, or support. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and versatility. Its usage is notably common in scientific and news-related contexts. Related alternatives include "it functions as a resource" and "it acts as a provider", offering slight variations in emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject actively provides something and avoid overusing it by considering synonyms to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it functions as a resource

Replaces "serves as a source" with "functions as a resource", emphasizing the utility provided.

it acts as a provider

Substitutes "serves as a source" with "acts as a provider", focusing on the act of supplying something.

it works as a foundation

Changes "serves as a source" to "works as a foundation", highlighting the role of providing a basis or starting point.

it constitutes a basis

Replaces "serves as a source" with "constitutes a basis", stressing the fundamental nature of the provision.

it supplies the origin

Swaps "serves as a source" with "supplies the origin", putting emphasis on the beginning or starting point.

it is a supplier of

Reformulates "serves as a source" to "is a supplier of", focusing on the action of supplying.

it offers an origin

Changes "serves as a source" to "offers an origin", stressing the provision of a starting point.

it gives rise to

Substitutes "serves as a source" with "gives rise to", focusing on the act of causing something to emerge.

it is instrumental in providing

Reformulates the phrase emphasizing the instrumental role in offering something.

it contributes to the generation of

Highlights the contribution towards the generation of something, making the sentence more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "it serves as a source" in a sentence?

Use "it serves as a source" to indicate that something provides information, materials, or support for a particular purpose. For example, "The website serves as a source of information for tourists."

What can I say instead of "it serves as a source"?

You can use alternatives like "it functions as a resource", "it acts as a provider", or "it works as a foundation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it serves as a source"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something actively provides or generates something else, rather than merely containing it. For example, "The database serves as a source of data for our analysis."

What's the difference between "it serves as a source" and "it is a source"?

"It serves as a source" implies a function or purpose, while "it is a source" is a more general statement of origin. For example, "The river serves as a source of irrigation" highlights its purpose, whereas "The river is a source of water" simply states its origin.