serve as a record

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "serve as a record" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the purpose of a document or a set of documents. For example, "The documents were created to serve as a record of the activity that had taken place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

To-do lists not only help you prioritize what tasks you need to get done first, but they can also serve as a record of the loose ends.

Independent

As we lose natural habitats the world over, herbaria increasingly serve as a record of the recent history of plant life, and as a repository of precious genetic information.

Harvard University

Over the last 18 years, the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Mass., has recovered nearly 1.5 million volumes that serve as a record of Jewish life before the Holocaust.

The New York Times

But we found it a more intimate experience to pick out a series of less monumental homes that serve as a record of women connected by time, place and passion.

The New York Times - Arts

If your home or possessions are destroyed, the video can serve as a record for your insurance company.

BBC

In reacting to oxygen, water, CO2, or other compounds in the environment, such rocks serve as a record of the contemporary climate.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Decades later, those same aunts, still living in the lovely countryside of Drumaville but in a newer house, allowed their place to serve as a recording studio for Louder Than Words.

Huffington Post

A blockchain verifies the transactions between buyers and sellers and serves as a record of their legitimacy.

MIT Technology Review

This site serves as a record of the Mystery Hunt's history and an archive of past hunts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A stone block or slab, it served as a record of a grant of land made by the king to a favoured person.

Britannica

The glacial ice in Greenland, which serves as a record of the Earth's climate, began to form about a hundred and fifteen thousand years ago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serve as a record" to emphasize the importance of documentation for future reference or verification. This phrase highlights the lasting value of the information being recorded.

Common error

Avoid using "serve as a record" when describing actions that are solely for immediate use. The phrase is best suited for describing documentation with long-term or archival purposes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve as a record" functions primarily as a predicative expression. It attributes a purpose or role to a subject, indicating that the subject's function is to document or preserve information. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serve as a record" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that documents or preserves information for future reference. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is accurate and usable in written English. It is found in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, indicating its versatility. When using "serve as a record", ensure the subject clearly indicates what information is being documented, and consider related phrases such as "act as a chronicle" or "function as documentation" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act as a chronicle

Emphasizes a detailed and chronological account.

function as documentation

Highlights the role of providing official evidence or information.

work as a log

Suggests a systematic and continuous recording of events.

provide a history

Focuses on giving an account of past events.

offer a transcript

Implies a written or printed version of something originally spoken.

constitute a registry

Indicates a formal system for keeping records.

form an archive

Suggests a collection of historical documents or records.

stand as evidence

Highlights the role of providing proof or verification.

become a testament

Emphasizes the role of serving as a strong proof or evidence.

represent an account

Focuses on giving a description of events or facts.

FAQs

How can I use "serve as a record" in a sentence?

Use "serve as a record" to describe something that preserves information, like "These documents "serve as a record" of our transactions".

What are some alternatives to "serve as a record"?

You can use phrases like "act as a chronicle", "function as documentation", or "provide a history" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say something "serves as a record"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say something "serves as a record". This phrase accurately describes the function of preserving information.

What is the difference between "serve as a record" and "function as documentation"?

"Serve as a record" generally implies preservation of information, while "function as documentation" emphasizes providing official evidence. The choice depends on the specific context and emphasis.