it serves time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it serves time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to serving a sentence in prison or fulfilling a period of obligation or duty. Example: "After being convicted, he had to serve time in prison for his crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There is no question that the New York City Board of Elections has repeatedly failed the voters it serves time and time again," Mr. Espaillat said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

During his time in the small Southeast Asian nation, Polonsky purchased a string of beautiful islands (one of which had a forest of stone penises erected on it), served time in Cambodian jails twice, embroiled himself in an all-out war with a Russian herpetologist, and developed a quirky self-help philosophy centered around entrepreneurship and spirituality.

Vice

"I committed a crime, I took responsibility for that crime and I served time for it.

The New York Times

If you are not able to serve it straight away, refrigerate it until serving time.

WikiHow

Everyone serves time as freshmen.

WikiHow

Before opening its doors to guests in December 2014 it also served time as a restaurant and a club.

The Guardian - Travel

Little is publicly known about who owns Centaurus, though one man mentioned in police and news reports as involved in running it, Jean Panázio, served time in prison for attempted murder and rape.

The New York Times

Before leaving Berlin, he had fallen in love with a German woman and fathered a daughter, and now he was looking for a way back to Germany, even if it meant serving time in prison.

The New Yorker

It's a keenly observed portrait of what it means to serve time, full of hard choices and shaky shots at redemption.

The New York Times - Books

Rumor has it that Ben served time for killing somebody, but that's just for giggles.

The New York Times

It was a character McShane enjoyed playing so much that he turned down an $80,000-an-episode 80,000-an-episode 80,000-an-episodethough he did stint time as Sue Ellen's film-maker husband on its rival, Dynasty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it serves time" in the context of imprisonment, ensure the subject clearly refers to the individual or entity serving the sentence. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it serves time" when describing durations or experiences that are not related to a formal obligation like imprisonment or duty. This phrase carries a specific connotation and is not interchangeable with general expressions of time usage.

Linguistic Context

It primarily functions as a predicate, describing the action performed by the subject. The phrase indicates the subject is undergoing a period of obligation, often in the context of imprisonment or fulfilling a specific term. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it serves time" is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, mainly in News & Media and Wiki sources. As Ludwig confirms, it typically indicates the fulfillment of a period, particularly in situations involving imprisonment or obligation. While the phrase is versatile, awareness of its specific connotations helps prevent contextual misuse. Alternatives include "it spends time" or "it occupies time", but the original phrase maintains a unique emphasis on duty or consequence. Understanding the nuances of "it serves time" ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it spends time

Focuses on the duration spent rather than the purpose or consequence.

it occupies time

Emphasizes filling a specific period rather than fulfilling a purpose.

it fills time

Highlights using time, but with less implication of duty or sentence.

it passes time

Suggests spending time, often without a specific aim or obligation.

it endures time

Focuses on withstanding or surviving a period.

it is subjected to time

Highlights the effect of time passing.

it benefits from time

Implies that time has a positive impact.

it makes good use of time

Highlights efficient time utilization.

it gains with time

Emphasizes improvement or accrual over time.

it matures with time

Focuses on the process of becoming more developed over a period.

FAQs

How can I use "it serves time" in a sentence?

The phrase "it serves time" is commonly used to indicate that something or someone is spending a specific period in a particular state or fulfilling an obligation. For example, "Because the change was applied retroactively, "it included those already serving time"".

What does "it serves time" mean in the context of a prison sentence?

In the context of a prison sentence, "it serves time" means that an individual is incarcerated for a specified period as punishment for a crime. For instance, "He served time in federal prison" indicates that he was imprisoned.

Can "it serves time" be used in contexts other than imprisonment?

Yes, "it serves time" can also be used to describe fulfilling a duty or obligation over a period. For example, "Before opening its doors to guests in December 2014 "it also served time as a restaurant and a club"".

What are some alternatives to "it serves time"?

Alternatives to "it serves time" include phrases like "it spends time", "it occupies time", or "it fills time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.