serving on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serving on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate participation in a role or position, often within a committee, board, or organization. Example: "She has been serving on the board of directors for over five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Augustine is serving on one of the panels).

Science Magazine

They are exempt from serving on committees.

The New York Times

Done right, serving on a corporate board can be challenging.

The New York Times

The submariner John Fluker, serving on the doomed U.S.S.

The New York Times - Arts

Sassoon, meanwhile, was serving on the Western front.

The New Yorker

[It is] a civic obligation, like serving on a jury.

Independent

Serving on the sky team is a part-time job.

The New York Times - Travel

Around 8,500 people are currently serving on public boards.

The Guardian

Roman soldiers serving on Hadrian's Wall had an uneasy life.

The Guardian

serving on charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

The Guardian - Music

He varies where he's serving on the break points well.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "participating in" or "being a member of" as alternatives to "serving on" to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "serving on" when simply volunteering or occasionally assisting a group. It is more appropriate for describing formal membership or a designated role within an organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serving on" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating active participation or membership in a group, committee, board, or team. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serving on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate active participation in a group or committee. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in news, science, and business contexts. While alternatives like "participating in" exist, "serving on" is particularly suited for describing formal roles within organizations. Keep in mind the formal implications of this phrase, and specify the context to guarantee the intended message is clear to the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participating in

This alternative is a more general term for taking part in an activity or group.

sitting on

Implies membership or being a part of a group.

being a member of

Focuses on the affiliation with a particular organization or group.

holding a position in

Suggests a formal role or office within a structure.

working with

Highlights collaboration and teamwork within a group.

contributing to

Emphasizes the act of giving or adding to a collective effort.

assisting with

Focuses on providing help or support to a particular task or group.

involved in

Indicates a general state of engagement or participation.

engaged in

Implies active and dedicated participation.

fulfilling duties on

Emphasizes the responsibilities and obligations associated with a role.

FAQs

How can I use "serving on" in a sentence?

You can use "serving on" to describe someone's role or membership in a committee, board, or organization. For example: "She is "serving on" the board of directors."

What are some alternatives to "serving on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "participating in", "being a member of", or "holding a position in".

Is it correct to say "serve on" instead of "serving on"?

Yes, "serve on" is the base form and can be used when referring to the action in general or in hypothetical situations. "Serving on" is used in continuous tenses, describing an ongoing role or activity.

What's the difference between "serving on" and "sitting on"?

"Serving on" usually implies active participation and contribution, while "sitting on" may suggest a more passive role or simply being a member of a committee or board.