serving

USAGE SUMMARY

"serving" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb, as a noun, or as an adjective. Example sentence: "The waiter brought out a serving of delicious steak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He fled Paris on a bicycle during the Nazi Occupation and, after a stint in the French Resistance, later found himself by chance serving as an air force photographer in France's Indo-China war in the early 1950s, travelling through Vietnam and then Cambodia, completely self-taught.

The Guardian - Arts

Shah chairs a mental health charity and is well known locally in Bradford for campaigning on behalf of her mother, who was released from prison in 2000 after serving 14 years for putting poison into the food of Mohammed Azam, a local drug dealer who she feared was planning to sexually abuse her daughters.

The Guardian

When Poland became a communist state in 1947, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for joining the Home Army, serving seven.

The Guardian

The price is at the high end, so if you're seeking a more fast and affordable pit stop, head to Harvest Bakery, right next door, serving light food and coffees, and why not take a warm loaf for the road.

The Guardian - Travel

Alex McDowell – head of legacy and tribute fundraising at NSPCC and chair of Remember a Charity Alex's fundraising career has included roles in the higher education sector, direct marketing and community fundraising as well as serving as head of fundraising at The Shakespeare Hospice in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Alex will be online from 1pm.

The Guardian

The prosaic business of lending to business and serving customers delivered lower profits and was done by the banks' drones.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Now the message is that pleasure still exists when pleasure is self-serving.

The Guardian - Music

The path to the university, whose president is Donna Shalala, the long-serving health secretary during both terms of Bill Clinton's administration, is well trodden by White House hopefuls: Mitt Romney was here three weeks ago for a Spanish-language interview in an attempt to woo the Hispanic vote.

The Guardian

A ticking off from the UK statistics chief, Sir Andrew Dilnot, for an egregious misreading of the OECD education league tables also suggested a self-serving approach to evidence.

The Guardian

Traitor was a barb he must have expected; he has also been branded a self-serving twerp (by the former head of MI5 Stella Rimington), a naive narcissist, and perhaps strangest of all, a cross-dressing Little Red Riding Hood (in the Washington Post).

The Guardian

Lainson continued to be funded by the Wellcome Trust and held the record as their longest-serving grant-holder at 47 years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serving" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the act of providing something, fulfilling a duty, or functioning in a specific role.

Common error

Avoid using "serving" when "service" is more appropriate. "Serving" typically describes an ongoing action, while "service" refers to a broader system or provision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "serving" is as a present participle or gerund, functioning as part of a verb phrase (e.g., "is serving") or as a noun (e.g., "the act of serving"). Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

15%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "serving" is a versatile term used as a verb, noun, or adjective, with a primary function to describe an ongoing action of providing or functioning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts, including news, lifestyle, and travel. The most frequent contexts come from News & Media sources and authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. Remember to use "serving" to denote an action in progress and avoid confusing it with the noun "service". Alternatives like "assisting" or "fulfilling" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fulfilling

Implies completing or satisfying a requirement or expectation.

providing

Emphasizes the act of supplying or making something available.

assisting

Indicates providing help or support, similar to fulfilling a role or function.

supporting

Focuses on giving assistance or encouragement to someone or something.

attending to

Focuses on taking care of or dealing with something, like fulfilling a duty.

functioning as

Highlights the role or purpose something has, emphasizing its operational aspect.

performing

Highlights the execution of a task or duty, implying action and accomplishment.

delivering

Emphasizes the act of bringing or providing something.

administering

Suggests managing or dispensing something, often in a formal context.

ministering

Suggests attending to the needs of someone, often in a caring or compassionate way.

FAQs

How is "serving" used as a verb?

As a verb, "serving" describes the act of providing something, such as food or assistance. For example, "The restaurant is "serving dinner"" or "He is "serving the community"".

What is a common meaning of "serving" as a noun?

As a noun, "serving" typically refers to a portion of food offered to someone. For instance, "That's a large "serving of cake"".

Can "serving" be used as an adjective?

Yes, "serving" can be an adjective to describe someone who is currently in a role or position. Example: "serving officer".

What are some alternatives to "serving" in different contexts?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "serving" could include "assisting", "providing", or "fulfilling". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.