that serves to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that serves to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the purpose or function of something. Example: "The new policy that serves to improve employee morale has been well received."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boards instead need to take responsibility to create a culture that serves to check risk effectively.

The New York Times

Old thinking that serves to separate us from our fellow man.

The New York Times

They are voting for the party that serves to them a more satisfying moral cuisine.

The Guardian

Although Ms. Cash's narrative sounds almost willfully naïve, that serves to make her book more revealing.

The New York Times - Books

a global theological network that serves to support and enhance theological education around the world.

Stanford University

This paper develops a practical evaluation framework that serves to identify critical factors for achieving supply chain agility.

Measurement

It is the tense friction wave transmission that serves to transfer the motion to the stage in the vacuum volume.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Plakoglobin (PG) is a major component of the intracellular plaque that serves to connect transmembrane elements to the cytoskeleton.

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Additionally, we developed a novel bioinformatics tool that serves to compare this novel strategy with traditional methods.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology

We need to realize that the same technology that serves to threaten privacy may also be enlisted to its protection.

The New York Times

The ears are large and surrounded by a ruff of papery feathers that serves to concentrate the sound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that serves to" to clearly articulate the purpose or function of a specific element within your writing, ensuring readers understand its role in the overall context. For example, "This tool that serves to analyze data will improve our decision-making process."

Common error

Avoid using "that serves to" in simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of "This button that serves to submit the form", write "This button submits the form".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that serves to" primarily functions as a relative clause introducing the purpose or function of a noun or noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it clarifies the role or intention behind something. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that serves to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to define the purpose or function of something, as validated by Ludwig. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy, with alternatives like "that aims to" or "which functions to" available for variety. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is useful for adding clarity by explicitly stating the goal or intent behind an action or object.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is used to

Focuses on the utility rather than the direct purpose.

which functions to

Highlights the function or role of something.

that is designed to

Emphasizes the intentional design for a specific purpose.

that aims to

Highlights the intended goal or objective.

that has the purpose of

Explicitly states the purpose or intention.

that helps to

Focuses on the assistance provided by something.

which contributes to

Highlights the contribution or effect of something.

that works to

Emphasizes the active effort towards a particular result.

that enables

Highlights the capacity or ability granted by something.

that facilitates

Emphasizes the act of making something easier or more likely.

FAQs

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

Use "that serves to" to explain the function or purpose of something. For example, "The algorithm "that serves to" filter out irrelevant data improves efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "that serves to"?

You can use alternatives like "that aims to", "which functions to", or "that is designed to" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "that serves to"?

While generally acceptable, overuse of "that serves to" can sometimes make your writing sound verbose. Consider if a more direct phrasing would be clearer and more concise.

What is the difference between "that serves to" and "that helps to"?

While both express a supportive role, "that serves to" often implies a more specific and intended function, whereas "that helps to" ("that helps to") can suggest a broader or less defined contribution.