started to serve

USAGE SUMMARY

"started to serve" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe the beginning of an action or activity. Example: The new server started to serve the tables, taking orders and delivering meals with a smile.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In Britain, McDonald's restaurants started to serve porridge for breakfast.

The New York Times

"I said I thought I would give people the wrong change but I started to serve and I quite enjoyed it," she recalled.

Independent

In the summer, when the brands began running custom QR codes, she said, the codes started to serve another purpose: now the codes themselves were ads.

The New York Times - Tech

One passenger was quoted by Izvestia as saying that the drunken trio only started to serve meals on the four-hour flight when the plane was descending.

The Guardian

On the first leg of the flight, as they started to serve rice with barberries and chicken, I put on my scarf.

The Guardian

And when I broke a string on my racket, I started to serve a few double faults and lost the rhythm a little bit.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

How regulators start to serve special interests.

The New Yorker

"He even started yelling when Sloane was starting to serve.

The New York Times

Yet universities are starting to serve students better.

The Economist

"We're not going to be starting to serve steaks again," Ms. Foss said.

The New York Times

Then they're turned right back on at 2.30, when they start to serve breakfast.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "began serving" for variety while keeping the meaning clear. Avoid overly formal alternatives unless the context requires it.

Common error

While "started to serve" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "commenced providing" or "initiated service" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started to serve" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action. It specifies when an entity or individual began providing a service, performing a duty, or offering something to others. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started to serve" is a versatile expression used to describe the commencement of a service, duty, or provision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. While synonyms like "began serving" or "commenced serving" exist, "started to serve" remains a common and easily understood option. Be mindful of the context and adjust the formality as needed to maintain a consistent tone. Its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and general content underscores its wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began serving

Replaces "started to" with "began", a direct synonym, maintaining the meaning of initiating service.

commenced serving

Uses "commenced" instead of "started", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

initiated service

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more formal term, implying the formal beginning of a service.

launched into service

Implies a more active and deliberate start of providing a service or function.

undertook to serve

More formal and emphasizes the commitment to providing a service.

moved to provide

Focuses on the action of providing, with "moved to" indicating the start of that action.

transitioned to serving

Suggests a change from one state to another, now including the act of serving.

shifted to serving

Indicates a change of focus towards serving.

took on the role of serving

Emphasizes the assumption of responsibility for serving.

became operational in serving

Highlights the beginning of functioning in a service-related capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "started to serve" in a sentence?

You can use "started to serve" to indicate the beginning of an action, such as "The restaurant "started to serve" breakfast last week" or "The organization "started to serve" the community after the disaster".

What are some alternatives to "started to serve"?

Some alternatives include "began serving", "commenced serving", or "initiated service". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "started to serve" or "began to serve"?

Both "started to serve" and "began to serve" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them is a matter of personal preference or style.

What's the difference between "started to serve" and "continued to serve"?

"Started to serve" indicates the beginning of a service, while "continued to serve" implies that the service was already in progress and remained so. For example, "The charity "started to serve" meals in 2020 and "continued to serve" them throughout 2021".