it serves to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it serves to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has a specific purpose or function. For example, "This policy serves to promote greater workplace safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It serves to increase sharing of information.

Computers in Human Behavior

Instead, it serves to underline their achievement.

The Guardian - Sport

"It serves to 'ground' you," she says.

The Guardian

It serves to determine and control the workpiece temperature.

Measurement

It serves to demonize Novorossiya and the forces there.

The New Yorker

It serves to recall that knowledge has unity".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I don't see what purpose it serves to do that".

The New York Times

It's possible it serves to obscure more than it reveals.

The Economist

It serves to connect you to the land like roots.

The Guardian

It serves to encourage developing countries to effectively develop CDM projects towards low carbon development.

Energy Economics

It serves to eject an electron from an atom's outer shell.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it serves to" to clearly state the intended function or purpose of a process, policy, or object. Ensure the purpose is directly linked to the subject for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it serves to" without a specific and measurable purpose. Instead of saying "it serves to improve things", specify what improvements are expected and how they will be achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it serves to" functions as a purpose connector, linking a subject to its intended function or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a grammatically sound construction used to clearly indicate the role or utility of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it serves to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to explicitly state the purpose or function of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, from scientific literature to news articles. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic writing. When using "it serves to", ensure clarity by directly linking the purpose to the subject, and avoid vagueness by specifying measurable outcomes. Related alternatives include "it functions to", "it aims to", and "it is designed to", offering nuanced ways to express similar intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it functions to

Replaces "serves" with "functions", emphasizing the role or operation.

it aims to

Focuses on the intended goal or objective.

it is designed to

Highlights the intentional design or purpose behind something.

it helps to

Emphasizes the assistance provided by something.

it contributes to

Indicates that something adds to or supports a larger effect.

it works to

Focuses on the active effort or process involved.

it has the purpose of

Explicitly states the intended purpose.

its function is to

Identifies the specific function of something.

it enables to

Highlights how something makes an action or result possible.

it is used to

Focuses on the application or utilization of something.

FAQs

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

Use "it serves to" to introduce the purpose or function of something, such as "The new policy "it serves to" improve employee morale".

What are some alternatives to "it serves to"?

You can use alternatives like "it functions to", "it aims to", or "it is designed to" depending on the context.

Is "it serves to" formal or informal?

"It serves to" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.

How does "it serves to" differ from "it helps to"?

"It serves to" emphasizes the primary function or intention, while "it helps to" suggests a contributing or assisting role.