serve to raise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve to raise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something functions or acts in a way that elevates or increases a particular quality or state. Example: "The new policy is designed to serve to raise awareness about environmental issues among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"This report should serve to raise awareness of the hazards of accidental ingestion of these products, which pose a public health concern," Dr. Olutoye and his colleagues wrote.

The New York Times

His posthumous project, the Harold Alfond College Challenge, "will serve to raise the aspirations and opportunities of countless Maine children," Gov. John Baldacci said in a statement.

The New York Times

The materials also often serve to raise awareness of issues in the nursing profession itself, including the impact of economic factors and ongoing struggles against inadequate pay and work conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The firing of more rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel will also serve to raise Israeli anger at the way in which Iran appears to be arming Hamas fighters.

The Guardian

Even so, police officials have called the program a success, and it was hoped the overtime pay would also serve to raise the morale of police officers and detectives, who have long been embittered over what they see as miserly pay.

The New York Times

The preliminary treatment, in essence, increases the porosity and surface of the carbons, whereas the processes of activation by radiation, of metal impregnation and of subsequent activation serve to raise the electrochemical activity of the surface.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Whatever the genre, films on slavery are serving to raise public awareness.

The Guardian

The war and its ugly aftermath have served to raise the salience of this split.

The New York Times

Indeed, a visit by the foreign minister can be an asset to an ambassador by serving to raise his standing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both stressed those links that bound the new Norway to the old; both served to raise the nation's morale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But her appearance served to raise new questions about the administration's efforts to deter an attack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity and directness in your writing, consider alternatives like "help to increase" or "function to elevate".

Common error

Avoid using "serve to raise" in contexts where a more direct, active verb would make the sentence clearer and more impactful. Passive constructions can sometimes obscure the agent performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve to raise" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intended outcome or goal of an action. It's used to explain why something is done, showing that it's meant to elevate or increase something else. Ludwig examples demonstrate the phrase in both formal and neutral contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serve to raise" is a purpose connector used to indicate that something functions to elevate or increase a specific quality or state. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and relatively common, especially in news and scientific contexts. While it can be used across various registers, being mindful of the context can improve your writing. Consider direct alternatives like "help to increase" for brevity. Using "serve to raise" effectively involves avoiding passive voice to maintain clear and impactful communication. In conclusion, it is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the intended outcome of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help to increase

Replaces "serve to" with a more direct action verb "help", simplifying the structure while retaining the meaning of elevation.

function to elevate

Substitutes "serve" with "function", emphasizing the role or purpose in elevating something.

act to amplify

Uses "act" and "amplify" to highlight the action and the degree of increase.

work to boost

Employs "work" to suggest effort and "boost" to indicate a positive increase.

contribute to enhance

Highlights the contribution towards enhancement, shifting focus to the participatory aspect.

aim to augment

Replaces "serve" with "aim", indicating intention and "augment" for a more formal tone when referring to increase.

assist in elevating

Uses "assist" to show support and "elevating" to maintain the sense of lifting something higher.

facilitate the rise of

Shifts the focus to the facilitation of a rise, suggesting a smoother or easier ascent.

play a role in increasing

Highlights the part played in increasing something, indicating a specific contribution.

be instrumental in lifting

Emphasizes the instrumental nature of the action in lifting something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "serve to raise" indicates that something functions to elevate or increase a particular quality or state. For example, "The new initiative will "serve to raise" awareness about climate change".

What can I say instead of "serve to raise"?

You can use alternatives like "help to increase", "function to elevate", or "act to amplify depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it more formal to say "serve to raise" or "help to increase"?

"Serve to raise" is generally considered more formal than "help to increase". "Help to increase" is more direct and commonly used in everyday language, while ""serve to raise"" is suitable for more formal or academic writing.

Which is correct, "serve to raise awareness" or "serve to increase awareness"?

Both ""serve to raise" awareness" and "serve to increase awareness" are correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "raise" is often associated with elevating something to a higher level, while "increase" suggests a general growth in quantity or degree.