serves to show

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serves to show" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the purpose of demonstrating or illustrating a point or idea. Example: "The data collected from the survey serves to show the effectiveness of the new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet that parallel only serves to show how far Mexico has changed.

The Economist

The 6-inch scale in the centre serves to show the relative proportions of the patterns.

Cornell University

The 6-inch scale in the centre serves to show the relative proportions of the patterns.Bertam.Bertam

Cornell University

Here, as in all good westerns, the wild setting serves to show what it means to be civilised.

The Guardian - Books

But it serves to show that the plane could have covered lots of ground if U.S. investigators' suspicions are correct.

The Guardian

All of this serves to show how interdisciplinary oral history can be and gives merit to its malleability and importance.

Columbia University

This work serves to show through simulation that state dependent weights matrix can improve SDRE control performance.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But instead, the celebration once again served to show how divided the country had become.

The Washington Post

His attempt at political engagement only served to show up his limitations.

Independent

A maiden over from Jerome Taylor to Cook served to show that this pitch had real guts in it.

The Guardian - Sport

They still serve to show where certain criminal ideologies can lead, what humans can do to fellow humans".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serves to show" to clearly indicate that the information you are presenting demonstrates a specific point or reveals an underlying truth. It's effective for making connections between data and conclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "serves to show" in situations where a simpler verb like "shows" or "indicates" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serves to show" functions as a connector, linking evidence or information to a conclusion or point. As supported by Ludwig, it introduces something that illustrates or demonstrates something else. It's used to highlight the purpose of specific data or examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serves to show" is a versatile phrase used to connect information with a conclusion. Ludwig indicates that the expression is grammatically sound and commonly employed. Its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When composing, bear in mind that while "serves to show" is valuable for establishing connections between data and conclusions, it is also important to avoid overuse in simpler explanations. Alternatives like "functions to illustrate" or "helps to demonstrate" offer similar meanings with different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functions to illustrate

Replaces "serves" with "functions", which is slightly more formal and emphasizes the role or operation of something.

acts as an illustration

Uses "acts as" to emphasize the role of something as an example, and "illustration" instead of "show".

helps to demonstrate

Replaces "serves" with "helps", making the phrase slightly less formal while retaining the meaning of demonstrating something.

is intended to illustrate

Emphasizes the purpose or intention behind something serving as an example.

aims to demonstrate

Focuses on the aim or goal of demonstrating something, highlighting the purpose.

is used to demonstrate

Highlights the utility of something in demonstrating a point, focusing on its practical application.

provides an example of

Shifts the focus to providing a specific instance or case that supports a general point.

clarifies

Offers a more concise and direct way of saying that something makes a point clear or easier to understand.

elucidates

Presents a more formal alternative, suggesting that something makes a point clearer or more understandable through detailed explanation.

highlights

Emphasizes that something draws attention to a particular aspect or detail, making it more noticeable.

FAQs

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

Use "serves to show" to introduce evidence or examples that support a specific point or argument. For instance, "The experiment's results "serves to show" the drug's effectiveness".

What are some alternatives to "serves to show"?

You can use alternatives like "functions to illustrate", "helps to demonstrate", or "is intended to illustrate" depending on the context.

Is "serves to show" formal or informal?

"Serves to show" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's appropriate for academic, professional, and journalistic writing. Simpler alternatives like "shows" might be preferable in very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "serves to show" and "proves"?

"Serves to show" indicates that something supports or illustrates a point, while "proves" implies a definitive and irrefutable demonstration. "Serves to show" is often used when the evidence is suggestive rather than conclusive, while "proves" suggests the conclusion is beyond doubt.