it was served

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was served" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to food or a service that has been provided to someone. Example: "The meal was delicious, and it was served with a side of fresh vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was served with its colourful feathers.

The Guardian

It was served in a sauce of its own drippings, butter, and a dash of Worcestershire.

The New Yorker

It was served as a course on its own, but it is also a lovely accompaniment to grilled fish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I partook whenever it was served.

The New York Times - Food

It was served with Worcestershire sauce.

The New York Times - Food

Usually, it was served on Friday night.

The New York Times

It was served with rich, delicate gravy, white meat first.

The New York Times

It was served cold, and was obscenely rich: hibernation food.

The New Yorker

It was served plainly, with rice, like a curry.

The Guardian - Travel

Like the colorful pottery plate it was served on?

The New York Times - Food

It was served with bread, carrots, boiled potatoes and broccoli.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a meal, use "it was served" to detail how the food was presented, what accompaniments were offered, or the style of service.

Common error

While "it was served" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Consider active voice alternatives to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "It was served with rice", try "They served it with rice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was served" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (it) received the action of serving. It is commonly used to describe how something was presented or provided, particularly in contexts related to food, services, or formal procedures. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was served" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe how something was presented or provided, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, it functions to describe the manner of presentation in a neutral register. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse of passive voice and consider active alternatives for more direct writing. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it was presented" or "it was offered".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was provided

Emphasizes the act of supplying something, often a service or resource.

it was presented

Highlights the manner in which something was shown or offered, often with a focus on aesthetics or formality.

it was offered

Focuses on the act of making something available to someone.

it was given

Stresses the act of bestowing or handing something over.

it was supplied

Similar to 'provided' but often used in contexts where resources or materials are being furnished.

it was furnished

Implies the provision of something necessary or useful, often in a formal setting.

it was dispensed

Suggests a controlled or measured distribution of something.

it was administered

Implies a formal or official provision, often in the context of rules or regulations.

it was rendered

Suggests the provision of a service or performance.

it was extended

Implies something was offered or made available

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was served" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was presented" or "it was furnished". These alternatives /s/furnished emphasize a more deliberate and refined manner of offering something.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how food is served?

While "it was served" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using active voice can make your writing more engaging. For example, instead of "it was served with potatoes", you could say "the chef served it with potatoes".

What's the difference between "it was served" and "it was provided"?

"It was served" typically refers to food or a specific service, while "it was provided" /s/it+was+provided has a broader meaning and can refer to any resource or assistance that was made available.

How to avoid overuse of "it was served" in my writing?

To avoid repetition, vary your sentence structure and use different verbs to describe how something was presented. Consider alternatives such as "they offered", "the waiter brought", or "it featured".