serve upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"serve upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is usually used in a legal setting when a court summons is being served to notify someone of a pending court hearing or other legal action. For example: "The sheriff of the county served the subpoena upon the defendant on August 12."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Murray dropped his serve upon the resumption, but broke back immediately with some typically attacking play.

Independent

This time, the momentum after the delay swung in Fish's direction, and he immediately broke Nadal's serve upon his return.

The New York Times

L. 109 351, § 717(2)(B), substituted "the appropriate Federal banking agency for the depository institution may serve upon such party" for "the agency may serve upon such party" in concluding provisions.

Cornell University

the agency may serve upon such party, officer, or director a written notice of the agency's intention to remove such party from office.

Cornell University

But Robson wins the next point with a strong return and then simple pressure, so it's... Break point #2: goes to second serve, upon which Robson goes for a winner which is called out before Li plays on.

The Guardian - Sport

Within 60 days of the date of service of the Initial Determination of Threat Assessment, the applicant may serve upon TSA a written request for copies of the materials upon which the Initial Determination was based.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Sprats are "maple smoked" and served upon "toasted country bread".

The New Yorker

The subpoena was served upon the Union at its offices.

Cornell University

A copy of such notice shall also be served upon the institution.

Cornell University

A copy of such application shall be served upon SIPC when filed.

Cornell University

The monitions were served upon Walsh within the jurisdiction of the court.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve upon", ensure the context is formal or legal, as it's commonly associated with legal processes and official notifications. Use it to emphasize the formal delivery of a document or action.

Common error

Avoid using "serve upon" in casual or informal situations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "give to" or "send to" when formality isn't required to avoid sounding overly stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve upon" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the formal act of delivering or imposing something, usually in a legal or official context. As Ludwig AI underlines, this often involves the delivery of legal documents. Examples include serving a notice, subpoena, or legal order to an individual or entity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serve upon" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase primarily employed within formal and legal contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies the act of delivering a legal document or official notification to a specific party. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established in academic and news media sources. When writing, it's best to reserve "serve upon" for situations requiring formality and to opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that the phrase is appropriate when precision and adherence to legal standards are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliver to

This alternative focuses on the act of delivering something physically or formally.

issue to

This alternative emphasizes the act of officially issuing or providing something.

present to

This alternative suggests a more formal presentation or offering.

transmit to

This suggests sending or conveying something, often information, to another party.

hand over to

This option implies a direct transfer of something from one party to another.

execute on

This phrase focuses on carrying out or performing a task or legal action.

administer to

This option emphasizes the formal act of administering or applying something.

effect on

This alternative highlights the action of causing something to take effect or happen.

levy on

This implies imposing a tax or fine on someone or something.

inflict upon

This suggests imposing something unpleasant or harmful on someone.

FAQs

How is "serve upon" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "serve upon" refers to the formal delivery of legal documents, such as a summons or subpoena, to a party involved in a legal proceeding. This ensures the party is officially notified of the action.

What are some alternatives to "serve upon" in a less formal setting?

In less formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "deliver to", "present to", or simply "give to", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "serve upon" and "serve with"?

"Serve upon" indicates the act of delivering something (usually legal documents) to someone. "Serve with" implies providing someone with something, often in a supportive or accompanying role. For example, you "serve upon" a subpoena, but you "serve with" honor.

In what types of documents would I expect to see "serve upon" used?

You would typically find "serve upon" used in legal documents like court orders, summonses, subpoenas, and other official notifications where formal delivery is required.