privilege to serve

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "privilege to serve" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize how honored one feels to be able to serve others, either in a professional capacity or as an act of kindness. For example: "It is my privilege to serve my community by volunteering at the local food bank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a privilege to serve... thank you and goodbye".

Independent

Above all, it was a privilege to serve.

The Guardian

It has been my privilege to serve you all.

The Guardian

They have refreshed our memories as to just how temporary the privilege to serve is.

The New York Times

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve you".

Independent

Condi introduced the world leaders with whom I had the privilege to serve.

The New York Times

"It has been a great honor and privilege to serve you as chairman," he added.

The New York Times

It was a privilege to serve as deputy chancellor of New York City's public schools".

The New York Times

It has been my great privilege to serve in the Obama campaign".

The New York Times

It was an honor and a privilege to serve with him.

The New York Times

Yesterday, Dr. Matthews said that it had been a privilege to serve at the church.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the audience and the context to ensure it resonates as genuine and sincere, rather than perfunctory.

Common error

Avoid using "privilege to serve" in casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic. Choose more natural and less grandiose expressions in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "privilege to serve" functions as an infinitive phrase often used to express gratitude and humility when undertaking a task or fulfilling a role. Ludwig demonstrates its widespread use in formal statements and speeches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "privilege to serve" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It conveys a sense of honor, gratitude, and dedication, most commonly found in news and media contexts, but also present in academia and formal business settings. While appropriate for formal occasions, it should be used sparingly in casual conversation. Alternatives like "honor to serve" or "pleasure to serve" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Ensure that using "privilege to serve" feels authentic and reflects the true sentiment behind the act of service.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honor to serve

Replaces "privilege" with "honor", emphasizing respect and esteem.

proud to serve

Expresses a feeling of pride in one's service.

grateful to serve

Focuses on the feeling of thankfulness for the opportunity to serve.

pleasure to serve

Substitutes "privilege" with "pleasure", highlighting the enjoyment derived from service.

delighted to serve

Similar to "pleasure to serve", but emphasizes the joy and satisfaction.

fortunate to serve

Highlights the luck or good fortune in being able to serve.

humbled to serve

Highlights the feeling of humility experienced while serving.

duty to serve

Emphasizes the obligation and responsibility associated with service.

esteemed to serve

Replaces "privilege" with "esteemed", implying a high regard for the opportunity.

blessed to serve

Implies a sense of divine favor or blessing in the act of serving.

FAQs

How can I use "privilege to serve" in a sentence?

You can use "privilege to serve" to express gratitude and honor for an opportunity. For example, "It is my "privilege to serve" on this committee", or "I consider it a "privilege to serve" the people of this community".

What are some alternatives to saying "privilege to serve"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "honor to serve", "pleasure to serve", or "grateful to serve" to convey a similar sentiment.

Is it more appropriate to say "privilege to serve" or "honor to serve"?

"Privilege to serve" and "honor to serve" are both appropriate, but "honor to serve" often emphasizes respect and esteem, while "privilege to serve" highlights the special opportunity or advantage of serving.

What does it mean when someone says it's a "privilege to serve"?

Saying it's a "privilege to serve" generally means the person feels grateful and honored to be in a position to help, contribute, or assist others. It's often used in formal contexts to express sincerity and dedication.