serve to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve to be" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey a purpose or function, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The new policy does not serve to be effective in improving employee morale."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

A natural footballer, his versatility would serve to be his undoing.

The Guardian - Sport

We expect the states, cities and counties we serve to be real, no-fooling-around partners".

The New York Times

"What this has done is created an opportunity for Republicans to cleanse themselves by casting Senator Lott out of the temple, and that might serve to be therapeutic.

The New York Times

How do the group plans serve to be more or less efficient than the established national plans? 5. What other types of drills are performed, besides fire drills?

The New York Times

"Thank God I didn't hear it, because that's just my luck: unbelievable serve to be called let," said Serena, who did not even know about the call until Martina Navratilova told her after the match.

The New York Times - Sports

On the one hand, your diet offers few choices, but on the other, there has to be a vegetable course, a salad course or some side dishes they could serve to be more accommodating to you.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

So sure-ly those who take risks de-serve to be prop-er-ly paid.

The Guardian

I offer that anecdote because it never serves to be dismissive of people's motivation.

The Guardian - Books

Ratmansky's ridiculousness, here, serves to be sublime and imbues this ballet with a delightful lightheartedness.

The Guardian

In such case, the expected path complaint distribution of database distribution often serves to be of advantage.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

It really serves to be a lot of different things naturally".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "serve to be" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "serve as" or "function as" for clearer communication.

Common error

The phrase "serve to be" often leads to awkward phrasing. Ensure the verb following "serve" directly indicates the action or role, such as "serve as" or "serve to assist".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve to be" aims to indicate purpose or function, though it's grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage isn't standard. Examples show its attempt to connect an action with its intended outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "serve to be" appears in a variety of sources, Ludwig AI points out that it's considered grammatically incorrect. It aims to convey purpose or function, but clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "serve as" or "function as" are recommended. Its usage spans across news, science, and informal contexts, but due to its grammatical issues, it's best to avoid "serve to be" in formal writing to ensure clarity and correctness. Therefore, opting for more precise language will improve the effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as

This alternative offers a more concise and grammatically sound way to express functionality or purpose.

function as

Replaces "serve" with a synonym, maintaining the sense of purpose but using a more common verb.

act as

Similar to "function as", this option emphasizes the role or capacity in which something operates.

help to

Focuses on the assistance provided, simplifying the structure and improving clarity.

contribute to

Highlights the contribution or impact something has, using a more direct verb.

be used to

Indicates the intended use or application of something, offering a passive construction.

is meant to

Specifies the intended purpose or design, providing a clearer explanation of function.

is intended to

Similar to "is meant to", this option emphasizes the planned or designed purpose.

aim to be

Specifies an aspirational goal, emphasizing intent rather than current function.

work to be

Highlights the effort or process involved in achieving a specific state or function.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "serve to be"?

Instead of "serve to be", consider using clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "serve as", "function as", or "act as".

Is "serve to be" grammatically correct?

The phrase "serve to be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use constructions like "serve as" or "help to" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

How can I use "serve as" instead of "serve to be"?

Replace "serve to be" with "serve as" followed by a noun or adjective that describes the role or function. For example, instead of "This will serve to be a solution", say "This will serve as a solution".

What's the difference between "serve to be" and "serve as"?

"Serve as" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase that indicates a function or role. "Serve to be" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives like "serve as" or "function as".