serve as a link between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve as a link between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a connection or relationship between two or more entities, concepts, or groups. Example: "The new policy serves as a link between management and employees, fostering better communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mellon will serve as a link between Asset and Instanet.

The New York Times

The apartment's old-fashioned foibles serve as a link between generations.

The New York Times

The violet had to serve as a link between these two strong flavors as a reverberation of spring.

The New Yorker

The advocate's main role is to serve as a link between patients and their health care providers.

The New York Times - Health

The violet had to serve as a link between these two strong flavors — as a reverberation of spring.

The New Yorker

Perhaps the most important role of the ARVN troops, however, was to serve as a link between the Americans and the villagers.

The New Yorker

"A truly sensitive and civilised man, whose ideas are grounded in the common culture of the two continents, and may serve as a link between them.

The Guardian - Business

Undergraduate advisors have a special role on campus — they serve as a link between faculty and students, and students and campus.

University of California, Berkeley

Undergraduate advisors have a special role on campus — they serve as a link between faculty and students, and between students and campus.

University of California, Berkeley

Parent coordinators, who serve as a link between families and school administrators, ought not be used to propagate partisan views, Mr. Mulgrew said.

The New York Times

The Iraqis would not take part in combat, but would serve as a link between coalition forces and the Iraqi people, said Maj. Bob Stern, an American military spokesman in Taszar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve as a link between", ensure that the entities being connected are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "This policy serves as a link between employee needs and company objectives."

Common error

Avoid using "serve as a link between" without specifying what is being connected. Saying "This serves as a link" lacks clarity and leaves the reader wondering what the connection is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve as a link between" functions as a connector, indicating a relationship or association between two distinct entities. Ludwig confirms that it's used to illustrate how one element facilitates interaction or connection between others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serve as a link between" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of connecting two or more entities. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. With a very common frequency and a high expert rating, it demonstrates consistent application in diverse domains such as science, news, academia, and formal business. The primary function is to establish a connection, highlighting the role of a specific entity in relation to others. While generally neutral, the register can lean toward formal depending on the source. Remember to clearly define the connected entities and avoid vagueness to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serving as a link between

Changes the verb to the present participle form, emphasizing the ongoing action of linking.

acting as a link between

Changes the verb to a present participle, emphasizing the continuous action.

operate as a link between

Uses "operate" instead of "serve", implying a functional role in connecting entities.

acted as a link between

Shifts the tense to past, indicating a link that existed or functioned in the past.

act as a link between

Uses "act" instead of "serve", indicating a functional role.

serve as a liaison between

Replaces "link" with "liaison", suggesting a more formal or official role in communication and coordination.

serve as a connection between

Substitutes "link" with "connection", emphasizing the relationship or association between entities.

serve as a gateway between

Replaces "link" with "gateway", implying a point of entry or access between different areas or systems.

serve as a bridge between

Uses "bridge" instead of "link", suggesting a means of overcoming differences or gaps between entities.

intended as a link between

Focuses on the planned or designed purpose of the link, rather than the actual function.

FAQs

How can I use "serve as a link between" in a sentence?

Use "serve as a link between" to indicate that something connects two or more distinct entities. For instance, "The new software serves as a link between the marketing and sales departments".

What are some alternatives to "serve as a link between"?

You can use alternatives such as "operate as a link between", "serve as a liaison between", or "act as a bridge between" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "serve as a link between" or "act as a link between"?

Both "serve as a link between" and "act as a link between" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, as they convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean for something to "serve as a link between"?

When something "serve as a link between" it means it connects or facilitates a relationship between two or more things. It implies that without this link, the connection would be weaker or non-existent.