serves to give

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serves to give" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the purpose or function of providing or supplying something. Example: "The new policy serves to give employees more flexibility in their work schedules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Sometimes anxiety serves to give us some backdrop against which to measure joy.

The New York Times

This review article serves to give an overview on cyclodextrin nanosponge adsorbents which have already been used for water treatment.

Carbohydrate Polymers

In addition, stirring the melt with argon or an electromagnetic field often serves to give them a lift.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of the players, she said, may figure that denying something only serves to give it longer legs.

The New York Times

"The delay serves to give peace yet another chance, and it is not for any fear of reprisals by anyone".

The New York Times

It also serves to give masses of people with growing economic difficulties the impression that "other people" are experiencing a recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But she faulted on her next serve to give the opposition eight match points.

The Guardian - Sport

Attacking a professional only served to give him further kudos within his group.

The Guardian

At 6-6, serving to give himself a second match point, Tipsarevic again tried to overpower his tension, wildly double-faulting.

The New York Times

He gave the impression that looks simply serve to give an already-accomplished vocal artist an edge.

The New York Times

In those places, the law will mainly serve to give priority to students from the failing schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serves to give", ensure the subject clearly performs the action of providing or supplying something. The sentence should highlight the purpose or function effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "serves to give" when the subject doesn't actively provide something. For instance, don't say "The problem serves to give us trouble"; instead, use "causes us trouble" or "presents a challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serves to give" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action or process. As Ludwig AI underlines, it clarifies what something provides or supplies. Example: "The delay serves to give peace yet another chance."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serves to give" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express the purpose or function of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts, signaling a neutral formality. When using "serves to give", ensure the subject actively provides something and consider alternative phrases like "functions to provide" or "is intended to offer" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functions to provide

Replaces "serves" with "functions" and "give" with "provide", emphasizing the role or operation of something.

is intended to offer

Focuses on the intention behind something, rather than its direct action.

aims to supply

Highlights the goal of supplying something, suggesting a planned action.

works to impart

Emphasizes the effort involved in conveying or bestowing something.

operates to furnish

Similar to "functions to provide", but uses more formal vocabulary.

helps in providing

Focuses on the aiding role in contributing or supplying something.

contributes to providing

Emphasizes a partial role in the overall supply or provision of something.

is designed to furnish

Highlights the intended design or purpose behind providing something.

has the purpose of providing

States the explicit purpose, focusing on the reason for something's existence or action.

is utilized to supply

Focuses on the method or technique of supplying, rather than the intention.

FAQs

How can I use "serves to give" in a sentence?

Use "serves to give" to describe the purpose or function of something. For example, "This policy "serves to give" employees more flexibility."

What are some alternatives to "serves to give"?

Alternatives include "functions to provide", "is intended to offer", or "aims to supply", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "serve to give" instead of "serves to give"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "serves to give" with a singular subject and "serve to give" with a plural subject. For example, "The program serves to give" versus "The programs serve to give."

What is the difference between "serves to give" and "helps to give"?

"Serves to give" emphasizes the primary purpose or function, while "helps to give" suggests an auxiliary or supporting role. "Serves to give" indicates a direct and intended function, while "helps to give" means something assists in providing.