serve the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"serve the cause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean "to help a cause or purpose." For example, "The volunteers dedicated their time to serve the cause of feeding the homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We can serve the cause, not vice versa".

The New York Times

The things they show frequently serve the cause of automation.

The New Yorker

She doesn't serve the cause of victims with such histrionics.

The New York Times

They can also help create a truly informed public -- and thus serve the cause of democracy.

The New York Times

Who wouldn't want credit markets to serve the cause of home ownership?

The Guardian - Opinion

They do not have to be told which results would best serve the cause.

The New York Times - Sports

We serve the cause of liberty and that is always and everywhere a cause worth serving.

The New York Times

He was often frank about his intention to serve the cause of blacks.

The New Yorker

(Letting tax cheats run wild doesn't exactly serve the cause of deficit reduction).

The New York Times

If politics is just tactics, then evasions about the recent past serve the cause of the Republican Party.

The New Yorker

This is trash pretending to serve the cause of history: a "Dirty Dozen" knockoff with one eye on "Schindler's List".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "champion" or "advance" when you want to emphasize proactive support, depending on the specific nuance you intend.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who or what is serving the cause. Active voice makes the support more direct and impactful. For example, prefer "Volunteers serve the cause" over "The cause is served by volunteers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve the cause" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of supporting or contributing to a specific objective. Ludwig provides various examples showing its usage in different contexts. The verb "serve" here means to be of assistance or advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serve the cause" is a verb phrase used to describe supporting or contributing to a specific objective. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the cause and choosing synonyms like "advance" or "champion" for stronger emphasis. Avoiding passive voice enhances the impact of your message. With careful usage, "serve the cause" effectively conveys commitment and encourages meaningful action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance the cause

Focuses on promoting the cause forward.

promote the cause

Emphasizes advocating for the cause.

further the cause

Highlights aiding the progress of the cause.

support the cause

Indicates backing or aiding the cause.

champion the cause

Suggests acting as a defender or advocate.

contribute to the cause

Highlights making an input to the cause.

assist the cause

Emphasizes providing help to the cause.

be beneficial to the cause

Focuses on the advantageous impact on the cause.

be conducive to the cause

Emphasizes the element of favorable or helpful of the cause.

work towards the cause

Emphasizes effort directed to the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "serve the cause" in a sentence?

You can use "serve the cause" to describe actions that support a particular goal or principle. For example, "Donating to charity is one way to serve the cause of poverty reduction."

What are some alternatives to "serve the cause"?

Alternatives include "advance the cause", "promote the cause", or "support the cause", each with slightly different nuances.

Is there a difference between "serve the cause" and "help the cause"?

"Serve the cause" often implies a more dedicated or significant contribution, while "help the cause" can refer to any form of assistance, big or small.

Which is correct: "serve the cause" or "serving the cause"?

Both are correct, but they function differently in sentences. "Serve the cause" is often used as an infinitive verb phrase, while "serving the cause" is a gerund phrase that can act as a noun. For example, "Volunteering is about serving the cause".