serve to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something functions or acts as a means to clarify or elucidate a concept or idea. Example: "The data collected from the survey serve to explain the trends observed in consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such lines are standard in articles about the celebrity departed and serve to "explain" the deaths.

The Guardian - Opinion

Patients on Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" do flat line, but their deaths mainly serve to explain the heroine's drug addiction.

The New York Times - Arts

Teaching assistants often serve to explain difficult concepts from large lecture classes in small sections, enabling students to attain a better understanding of often-complex ideas and topics.

The New York Times

Unfortunately his character is given short shrift, only relegated to a handful of sequences that serve to explain Gibson's self-loathing behavior.

The Guardian - Film

Then he must proceed to show how knowledge of these simples would serve to explain the detailed constitution of things; this would involve synthesis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What you saw when you looked.' " Among other things, "Cad" is billed as a guidebook for women who find men opaque, and several passages serve to explain the ways of man to woman.

The New York Times - Books

Several reasons may serve to explain this low dieselization.

Environmental Sciences Europe

That might serve to explain Elman's own five-year plan.

Forbes

The remainder of this article will now serve to explain the phylogenetic method.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Thus, moving the earth from the center of the universe did not serve to explain astronomical data better.

SEP

Forces postulated at the atomic level were credited with some empirical support if they could serve to explain observable phenomena.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serve to explain" when you want to emphasize that something has a specific function or purpose in clarifying a complex idea or situation. It adds a touch of formality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "serve to explain" in casual or conversational writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "explains" or "helps explain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve to explain" functions as a purpose connector, indicating that something has the role or function of providing clarification or understanding. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in academic, scientific, and news contexts to introduce explanations or reasons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serve to explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to introduce explanations and clarify complex topics. While versatile, it leans towards formality, making it less suitable for casual conversation. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "explains" or "helps explain" for informal contexts. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively incorporate "serve to explain" to enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

function to explain

Replaces "serve" with "function", emphasizing the action of explaining.

act as an explanation for

Uses "act as" to describe its role, highlighting the providing of an explanation.

help to clarify

Emphasizes the clarifying aspect, using "help" as the auxiliary verb.

work to elucidate

Replaces "explain" with "elucidate", implying a more thorough clarification.

contribute to the explanation of

Highlights the contribution towards providing an explanation.

provide an account for

Focuses on providing a detailed account as an explanation.

offer an explanation for

Stresses the offering of an explanation.

give insight into

Indicates the provision of insight, implying explanation through understanding.

shed light on

Suggests clarifying or illuminating a topic or issue.

clarify the reasons for

Directly states the action of clarifying reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "serve to explain" in a sentence?

Use "serve to explain" to indicate that something functions to clarify or elucidate a concept. For example, "The data collected from the survey "serve to explain" the trends observed in consumer behavior".

What are some alternatives to "serve to explain"?

You can use alternatives like "function to clarify", "act as an explanation for", or "help to clarify" depending on the context.

Is "serve to explain" formal or informal?

"Serve to explain" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "explains" or "helps explain" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "serve to explain" and "help to explain"?

"Serve to explain" suggests a primary or intended function of clarification. "Help to explain" implies a contributing role in making something clearer, but it might not be the sole purpose.