serves to inform

USAGE SUMMARY

"serves to inform" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is giving someone information. For example, "This report serves to inform the public about the dangers of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

This information serves to inform our climate scenario development (see " Climate Scenarios").

Environmental Management

Advertising "serves to inform the public of the..

Cornell University

In parallel, this approach serves to inform us about novel pathways for regulating critical biological processes.

Nature

"The occasion serves to inform the public of the urgent need to return these dolphins to sea," the foundation said on its website.

The Guardian

"The occasion serves to inform the public about the urgent need to return these dolphins to sea before the encounter with one on the shore," it said.

The Guardian

This paper examines ways in which a coastline, specifically the swash zone on a particular Caribbean beach, serves to inform our understanding of liminal spaces.

Geoforum

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Therefore, we predict the changes to ecosystem processes will be vast and if documented adequately will serve to inform the current information void on how invasive phytophagous insects alter ecosystem properties.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

This information may serve to inform other HCPs how to best deliver balance training within PR.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

This information will serve to inform the conduct and focus of future SRs and primary research in child health.

BMC Pediatrics

But freely accessible legal information can also serve to inform and support policy-making efforts and advocacy.

Cornell University

Final project presentations take place in a public forum, and serve to inform future development of the information infrastructure.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using simpler alternatives like "informs" or "provides information". "Serves to inform" can sometimes be replaced by more direct phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "serves to inform" in casual or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "tells you" or "lets you know" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serves to inform" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or objective behind an action or piece of information. Ludwig examples show its use in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serves to inform" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate that something provides information, as confirmed by Ludwig. Primarily found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, it functions as a purpose connector, explicitly stating the intention to educate or clarify. While its formal tone makes it suitable for professional and academic writing, simpler alternatives are preferable in casual settings. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility and widespread use across various domains, solidifying its place as a common and effective phrase for conveying information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aims to inform

Focuses on the intention or goal of providing information.

functions to inform

Emphasizes the role or purpose in providing information.

is intended to inform

Highlights the design or purpose behind the information.

seeks to inform

Suggests an active effort to provide information.

is designed to inform

Focuses on the deliberate planning behind the information delivery.

acts to inform

Highlights the action or process of informing.

has the purpose of informing

More explicitly states the intention of conveying information.

helps to inform

Indicates assistance in the process of informing.

provides information about

Uses a more direct and common phrasing for conveying information.

offers insights into

Implies a deeper understanding or perspective being offered.

FAQs

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

The phrase "serves to inform" is used to indicate that something has the purpose of providing information. For example, "This report "serves to inform" the public about the new policy".

What can I say instead of "serves to inform"?

You can use alternatives like "aims to inform", "functions to inform", or "provides information" depending on the context.

Is "serves to inform" formal or informal?

"Serves to inform" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "tells you" or "lets you know" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "serves to inform" and "helps to inform"?

"Serves to inform" indicates the primary purpose is to provide information, while "helps to inform" suggests assistance in the process of informing. The former is more direct, while the latter implies a supporting role.