served you well

USAGE SUMMARY

"served you well" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It's used to indicate that something has been beneficial to someone or something. For example, "My car has served me well over the past ten years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

That story served you well.

The New York Times - Style

We have not served you well.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Your nostalgia has served you well, Katy! Below are the full book covers.

The New Yorker

Dorsey: It doesn't sound like we served you well in matching your interests.

The Guardian - Tech

"You don't do that to people who have served you well, say, 'Adiós' by sending them down," he said.

The New York Times

Glad to corroborate that your multiple D-Lab experiences served you well in your professional life, Jodie!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

May it serve you well.

The New Yorker

Any regimen will serve you well.

Harvard Business Review

The ability to pay attention will serve you well.

The New Yorker

Take this, brother, may it serve you well.

The New Yorker

So-called contrarian strategies can also serve you well.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "served you well" to acknowledge the positive impact or utility something has had in the past. For example, "This strategy has "served you well" in previous negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "served you well" to describe something that is currently beneficial. The phrase implies past utility, not present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "served you well" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence to express that something has been beneficial or useful to someone in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to acknowledge past utility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "served you well" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to convey that something has been beneficial or useful in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase acknowledges past utility and is suitable for a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember that it references past benefits, distinguishing it from phrases that describe current advantages. Alternatives like "been helpful to you" or "proven beneficial to you" can be employed to add nuance or formality to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been helpful to you

This is a simpler, more direct way of expressing that something has provided assistance.

been useful to you

This alternative focuses on the practicality and functionality of something.

proven beneficial to you

This alternative highlights the positive outcome or advantage gained.

aided you effectively

This alternative emphasizes the efficiency and success of the assistance provided.

assisted you capably

This phrase emphasizes the skill and competence with which assistance was provided.

been of service to you

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of providing a service.

supported you strongly

This alternative highlights the backing or encouragement provided.

worked to your advantage

This phrase focuses on how something has positively impacted someone's position or situation.

delivered value to you

This focuses on the return or worth that was provided.

done you good

This phrase is more informal and suggests a positive impact on well-being or health.

FAQs

How can I use "served you well" in a sentence?

You can use "served you well" to indicate that something has been beneficial or useful in the past. For instance, "My old laptop has "served you well" for many years."

What are some alternatives to "served you well"?

Alternatives include "been helpful to you", "proven beneficial to you", or "worked to your advantage", depending on the context.

Is "served you well" grammatically correct?

Yes, "served you well" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English to express that something has been beneficial or useful.

What is the difference between "served you well" and "is serving you well"?

"Served you well" refers to something that provided benefits in the past, while "is serving you well" indicates that something is currently providing benefits. The former is past tense, while the latter is present continuous.