was not served

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not served" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something did not receive a service, meal, or legal notice. Example: "The defendant claimed that he was not served with the court documents in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Alcohol was not served.

The New York Times - Arts

Justice was not served".

The New York Times

Popcorn was not served.

The New York Times - Sports

Justice was not served to Occupy Wall Street.

The Guardian - Opinion

In another, the cardboard Khomeini complains that he was not served a glass of tea.

The New York Times

Ms. Marino's lawyer, Ron Johnson, said justice was not served with the plea agreement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

She was not serving that well.

The New York Times - Sports

More important, Eisenhower is not serving now, and Petraeus was not serving in the Second World War.

The New Yorker

"Two firemen are dead, and justice wasn't served here.

The New York Times

"I knew justice wasn't served".

Los Angeles Times

Alcohol is not served.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In culinary contexts, "was not served" effectively communicates that a particular dish or beverage was absent from a meal or offering. This is useful for reviews or menu descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "was not served" interchangeably with phrases like "was not provided" in contexts where the specific act of 'serving' is important. "Was not served" implies a formal offering or delivery, particularly in legal or culinary scenarios, while "was not provided" has a broader meaning.

Linguistic Context

Expresses the absence of an action or state, specifically that something was not delivered, provided, or experienced. This is a passive construction indicating the subject did not receive the specified service. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not served" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something was not delivered or provided. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive verb phrase is appropriate in various contexts, especially legal and culinary scenarios. While alternatives like "was not provided" exist, "was not served" carries a specific connotation of a formal act of delivery. This makes it essential to use it precisely to avoid miscommunication. The prevalence of this phrase in news, media, and scientific publications underscores its versatility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not receive

Focuses on the lack of receipt rather than the act of serving.

was not provided

Emphasizes the lack of provision or supply.

was not given

Highlights the absence of something being given.

never received

Stresses that something was never obtained.

was denied

Implies a refusal or withholding of something expected.

failed to receive

Emphasizes a failure in the process of receiving.

did not obtain

Focuses on the failure to acquire something.

did not get

A more informal way of saying "did not receive".

was lacking

Highlights the absence or insufficiency of something.

was without

Indicates the state of being without something.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "was not served"?

It means that something, typically food, a drink, or a legal document, /s/was+not+provided or delivered in the expected manner.

What's a more formal way to say "was not served"?

A more formal alternative is "was not provided", which emphasizes the lack of delivery or furnishing of something.

Can I use "was not served" in a legal context?

Yes, it's commonly used in legal contexts to indicate that someone did not receive legal documents or official notice, such as a subpoena or lawsuit.

What can I say instead of "was not served" in a restaurant review?

You could say "was unavailable", "was not offered", or "was missing from the menu" depending on the specific situation.