serve to please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'serve to please' is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to provide something in order to please or satisfy someone. For example, you could use it in the following sentence: The restaurant staff went above and beyond to serve delicious dishes that served to please all the guests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For her I am just there to serve, to please, in whichever way she desires … In a parallel universe, I would exist only as her table".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We might still love the idea of sitting down to a meal with familiar structure, where food is served to please you rather than dazzle you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An aide to Mr. Bloomberg accused Mr. Cuomo of presenting a "smoke screen" that, instead of addressing "last in, first out," simply served to please the United Federation of Teachers, which represents city teachers.

The New York Times

For Porter, Mr. Priddy writes, "reality alone seldom served to fully please the eye or mind, advising that the artist enliven the prospect through the addition of evocative motifs such as balloons navigating the skies, windmills and waterfalls, parades marching down village streets and steamboats paddling on streams".

The New York Times - Arts

Feel at ease knowing that, if the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall and its NINE food stations aren't serving anything to please your child's picky palate, he or she can head to Doc's Diner, with its assortment of hearty breakfasts, juicy burgers and large screen TVs.

Huffington Post

At all levels of the social hierarchy, Hinduism lives through artistic performances: dance and dance-drama, representational arts, poetry, music, and song serve not only to please deities but to transmit the religion's meaningful narratives and vital truths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finely julienned raw asparagus, slightly more than a garnish yet less than a salad, spiked with chives and olive oil, serves to emphasize the pleasing richness of white asparagus tips that have been roasted standing upright and basted in butter and their own juices.

The New York Times

Simone de Beauvoir once noted that artistic women are hampered by the desire to please, to serve and draw near rather than "to explode".

The New York Times - Magazine

On Nov. 27, 1952, he wrote about the momentous decision of the proprietor of the august Parisian restaurant La Tour d'Argent to serve turkey instead of duck to please his American patrons, thereby prompting his chef to threaten to quit.

The New York Times

Her education, a template for all women's, prepares her only to please and serve her husband and rear children.

SEP

So, before the evening ended, he was removed and the manager herself attempted to serve this discontented and impossible to please couple.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serve to please" when you want to emphasize the intention behind an action, highlighting that the primary goal is to provide satisfaction or enjoyment.

Common error

While "serve to please" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs like 'satisfy', 'gratify', or 'accommodate' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve to please" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It connects an action with its desired outcome, which is to satisfy or gratify someone. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serve to please" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates an intention to satisfy or gratify. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in tone, it can be enhanced by more precise verbs like 'satisfy' or 'gratify' in formal contexts. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki, suggesting its wide applicability. To ensure clarity and conciseness in writing, consider its nuanced alternatives such as "aim to satisfy" or "strive to delight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exist to satisfy

Emphasizes that the sole reason for something's existence is to provide satisfaction.

aim to satisfy

Focuses on the intention or goal of satisfying someone or something.

be designed to please

Highlights that something was specifically created with the intention to provide satisfaction.

try to content

Stresses the effort to make someone feel content or satisfied.

endeavor to gratify

Emphasizes the effort made in providing gratification.

intend to gratify

Focuses on the purpose of fulfilling someone's desires or expectations.

strive to delight

Highlights the attempt to bring great pleasure or joy.

cater to delight

Focuses on providing the best experience in order to delight.

seek to appease

Implies an attempt to calm or pacify by satisfying demands.

work to accommodate

Focuses on making adjustments to meet someone's needs or preferences.

FAQs

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

You can use "serve to please" to indicate that the primary purpose of something is to provide satisfaction or enjoyment. For example, "The restaurant staff went above and beyond to serve delicious dishes that "served to please" all the guests".

What are some alternatives to "serve to please"?

Alternatives include "aim to satisfy", "endeavor to gratify", or "strive to delight" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "serve to please" formal or informal?

"Serve to please" is generally considered neutral, suitable for most contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer a more precise synonym.

What is the difference between "serve to please" and "try to please"?

"Serve to please" implies that the action's primary function is to provide satisfaction, whereas "try to please" suggests an effort or attempt to satisfy, which may or may not be successful.