served as catalyst

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "served as catalyst" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that initiates or accelerates a process or change. Example: "The new policy served as a catalyst for innovation within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Therefore, in this paper, we prepared a series of vanadium-based dehydrogenation catalysts where pseudo-boehmite served as catalyst supports.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Fungal laccase, potassium octocyanomolibdate (4 + ) and atmospheric oxygen served as catalyst, redox-mediator and terminal oxidant, respectively.

Electrochimica Acta

The vermiculite, which was 100 300 μm in diameter and merely 50 100 μm thick, served as catalyst carrier.

Carbon

Sputtered Pt and conventional Pt/C served as catalyst layers for the fabricated cells which were tested under humid and dry conditions.

Journal of Power Sources

A platinum/ceria catalyst was applied for water gas shift, while platinum on zeolite/alumina carrier served as catalyst for preferential oxidation.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Meanwhile, the electrochemical properties of LaCrO3 electrodes were found to be greatly influenced by the dimension of Ni powders, which served as catalyst in electrodes.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thus, we conclude that the ZnO NW arrays served as catalysts during the photodegradation process.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The Au thin films, which served as catalysts, were not deformed or delaminated during the etching process.

Electrochimica Acta

These influences, along with the liberal environment of Greenwich Village, served as catalysts for the Stonewall riots.

Wikipedia

And the Galaxy TabPro S Gold Edition is certainly not the product to serve as catalyst.

TechCrunch

Water and light oxygenates can also serve as catalyst modifier when used in low levels in the feed stream.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "served as catalyst", ensure the context clearly indicates what process or change was initiated or accelerated. Be specific about the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "served as catalyst" when the contribution was minor or indirect. Ensure the subject truly played a significant role in initiating or accelerating the process, rather than merely being a contributing factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "served as catalyst" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the role or function something or someone played in initiating or accelerating a process. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "served as catalyst" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that describes how something initiates or accelerates a process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and effective way to explain cause-and-effect relationships. While suitable for formal writing, it's most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; make sure the connection between the subject and the outcome is direct and significant. Consider alternatives like "acted as a trigger" or "played a pivotal role" to fine-tune the nuance. Be careful not to overstate the catalytic effect if the contribution was minor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acted as a trigger

This alternative suggests a more immediate and direct initiating action.

functioned as a stimulus

This alternative emphasizes the role of prompting or encouraging a response.

played a pivotal role

This highlights the significant importance of the contribution.

was instrumental in

This stresses the essential and helpful nature of the contribution.

facilitated the process

This focuses on making the process easier or smoother.

was a key factor

This points out the crucial element in achieving a particular outcome.

initiated the reaction

This alternative emphasizes the commencement of a specific chemical or figurative reaction.

promoted the development

This suggests fostering growth or progress.

contributed to the acceleration

This alternative highlights the speeding up of an event or process.

helped to spark

This implies creating an initial excitement or interest.

FAQs

How can I use "served as catalyst" in a sentence?

Use "served as catalyst" to describe something that initiated or accelerated a process. For example, "The new policy "served as catalyst" for innovation within the organization."

What can I say instead of "served as catalyst"?

You can use alternatives like "acted as a trigger", "functioned as a stimulus", or "played a pivotal role" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "served as catalyst" in formal writing?

Yes, "served as catalyst" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or business contexts where it accurately describes a cause-and-effect relationship. However, consider alternatives like "was instrumental in" for added nuance.

What's the difference between "served as catalyst" and "served as a factor"?

"Served as catalyst" implies a stronger, more direct initiating or accelerating effect, whereas "served as a factor" simply suggests a contributing influence. A catalyst speeds up a process, while a factor is just one of several elements involved.