serve her with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve her with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to the act of delivering legal documents to someone, such as a summons or complaint. Example: "The court ordered the sheriff to serve her with the divorce papers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I serve her with a kiss.

The Guardian - Books

A whopping 30 million people watch him serve her with divorce papers on Christmas day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Goddard, who has not been located by the court so it can serve her with a copy of the complaint, did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment.

The New York Times - Sports

They elicited her name and address from a dorm friend, so that the next day, when, presumably, the woman would be sober and aware, they could serve her with a summons for under-age drinking.

The New York Times

Earlier this month, an assistant district attorney, John Moscow, told Judge Michael J. Obus of State Supreme Court in Manhattan that Ms. Valliere had resisted efforts to serve her with a subpoena.

The New York Times

The 'Born to Kill' Enforcers Dempster Leech still has tooth marks on his thumb, where a woman bit him while he was trying to serve her with a seizure order in the early 90's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mrs. Nesbitt shared her politics and her work ethic, and served her with single-minded loyalty.

The New Yorker

In retrospect, Boy George thinks he should have "served her" with a proper beating.

The New Yorker

Finally he served her with eviction papers and let us out of our lease.

The New York Times - Magazine

Vasco, stuffed behind the grand Formica counter, served her with pineapple Sumol and unsmiling vigilance.

The New Yorker

The Village of Southampton responded by serving her with a $250 ticket.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve her with", ensure the context is appropriate, particularly in legal or formal settings where the phrase is most commonly understood. For less formal situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "give her" or "provide her with".

Common error

Avoid using "serve her with" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a level of formality that can sound out of place in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve her with" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the act of formally delivering something to someone, particularly legal documents. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts related to legal processes and formal actions. Ludwig AI confirms that is a good sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serve her with" is a grammatically sound expression primarily utilized in formal or legal contexts to denote the act of officially delivering something to a person. As verified by Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed correct and usable, with its examples mainly found in news and media sources. Ludwig's analysis highlights that while grammatically correct, it should be reserved for appropriate formal settings to avoid sounding out of place in casual conversation. Alternatives like "provide her with" or "give her" are more suitable for informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliver to her

Focuses on the action of handing something over, often in a formal context.

provide her with

Emphasizes the act of supplying or furnishing something to her.

present her with

Highlights a formal offering or presentation of something.

supply her with

Stresses the act of providing a necessary resource or item.

furnish her with

Indicates a formal or official provision of something.

hand her

A simpler way to express giving something, often physically.

give her

A general term for transferring possession of something.

offer her

Suggests a voluntary act of providing something, often a choice.

administer to her

Focuses on formally providing or dispensing something, like medicine or a sacrament.

grant her

Implies bestowing something as a right or privilege.

FAQs

What does "serve her with" mean in a legal context?

In legal terms, "serve her with" refers to the formal process of delivering legal documents, such as a summons or subpoena, to a person to officially notify them of legal action.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "serve her with"?

Use "serve her with" when you want to describe the action of officially delivering a legal document or notice. In less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "provide her with" or "give her".

Which is more appropriate, "serve her with a notice" or "give her a notice"?

"Serve her with a notice" is more appropriate in formal or legal contexts, while "give her a notice" is suitable for informal situations.

Are there any synonyms for "serve her with" that maintain a formal tone?

Yes, synonyms like "deliver to her", "present her with", or "furnish her with" can be used to maintain a formal tone.