serve as a form of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve as a form of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that can function as a type or example of something else. Example: The company decided to use virtual meetings as a form of communication during the pandemic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I understand that the book is meant to serve as a form of parenting-guide.

The Guardian

Cute snowmen and deer resembling Bambi "serve as a form of visual junk food," he writes.

The New York Times - Arts

The secretions may serve as a form of defense for certain species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps chessboxing could serve as a form of anger management, or post-traumatic stress therapy.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer would appear to be so open-and-shut as to serve as a form of morality play.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cheerleaders or "yell leaders," as they were then called led cheers from the sidelines both to encourage the spectators and to serve as a form of crowd control.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The letter seemed to serve as a form of legal gamesmanship — allowing Mr. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers to hint at damaging information about the housekeeper without revealing it.

The New York Times

Although the Indians expect to take a financial loss on this year's Snow Days, it does serve as a form of creative advertising for the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But they also served as a form of expression.

The New York Times - Tech

For Burnett, Dylan's ramshackle, poetic carnival served as a form of apprenticeship.

Independent

She conceived the show as affording him "another lease of life", even serving as a form of semi-retirement, which is a minor bone of contention between them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve as a form of", ensure the noun following 'of' accurately reflects the function or purpose you intend to convey. For instance, "The workshop can serve as a form of professional development."

Common error

Avoid using overly broad or imprecise nouns after "serve as a form of". For example, instead of saying "This serves as a form of thing", be specific: "This serves as a form of communication."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve as a form of" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a specific category or type it exemplifies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something operates or is used as a particular kind of thing. For example, 'chessboxing could "serve as a form of" anger management'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serve as a form of" is a versatile phrase used to classify or characterize something by assigning it to a specific category or function. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English. It is seen frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the noun following 'of' accurately reflects the intended function or purpose and isn't overly vague. Remember, simpler alternatives like "acts as" or "functions as" may sometimes be more concise. By considering these aspects, you can effectively use "serve as a form of" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act as a kind of

Emphasizes the role or function, indicating a type or category.

function as a type of

Highlights the functional aspect, specifying a particular category.

work as a means of

Focuses on the instrumental role, suggesting a way to achieve something.

operate as a manner of

Indicates a specific method or way of doing something.

represent a style of

Highlights the representative quality, denoting a particular style.

constitute a method for

Stresses the compositional aspect, indicating a method or approach.

offer a manner of

Focuses on the provision of a certain approach or style.

provide a venue for

Indicates a space or opportunity for something.

contribute as a factor in

Emphasizes the contribution to a particular outcome or situation.

stand as an instance of

Highlights a specific example or case of something.

FAQs

How can I use "serve as a form of" in a sentence?

Use "serve as a form of" to describe something that functions as a specific type or example of something else. For example, "Meditation can "serve as a form of" stress relief".

What are some alternatives to "serve as a form of"?

You can use alternatives like "act as a kind of", "function as a type of", or "work as a means of" to express similar meanings.

Is it redundant to use "serve as a form of"?

While not inherently redundant, consider if simpler phrasing like "acts as" or "functions as" could be more concise depending on the context. For instance, "This policy acts as a deterrent" is shorter than "This policy "serves as a form of" deterrence".

What's the difference between "serve as a form of" and "serve as"?

"Serve as a form of" implies a categorization or type, while "serve as" directly states a role or function. "This room can "serve as a form of" office" suggests the room is being used as a type of office, whereas "This room can "serve as" an office" simply means it can function as one.