was served by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was served by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate who provided a service or assistance to someone or something in a past context. Example: "The meal was served by the head chef, who took great pride in his culinary creations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What interest was served by this disclosure?

The New York Times

But justice was served by the outcome.

Independent

Lunch was served by a European waiter.

The New Yorker

That area was served by another center.

The New York Times

Neither extreme was served by the staging, which depicted the action at a cinematic remove.

The New Yorker

From the 18th century the Prussian state was served by a line of distinguished architects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the United States, ice cream was served by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Dolley Madison.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At midnight, a lavish dinner was served by a gaggle of servants.

The New York Times

The meal was served by 250 nuns and priests of the Sisters of Charity order.

The Guardian

I know that it was served by candlelight, which created a singular intimacy.

The New Yorker

It was served by French bailiffs in Paris, where Mr. Randal lives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was served by" to clearly indicate the entity or individual responsible for providing a service, delivering a result, or facilitating an action in the past. This passive construction emphasizes the recipient of the service and the provider.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily converting "was served by" into an active voice construction when the emphasis should remain on the recipient of the service. For example, instead of saying "The waiter served the meal", use "The meal was served by the waiter" to focus on the meal and its delivery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was served by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received an action performed by someone or something. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe how a meal was delivered, an area was provided with resources, or a notice was issued.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was served by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe how a service or action was provided by someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally correct, writers should be mindful of using the passive voice appropriately, ensuring the emphasis remains on the recipient of the service. Alternatives like "was provided by" or "was delivered by" can offer subtle variations in meaning while maintaining clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was provided by

Replaces "served" with "provided", emphasizing the act of supplying something.

was delivered by

Substitutes "served" with "delivered", highlighting the act of bringing something to a location or person.

was supplied by

Emphasizes the act of furnishing or equipping something.

was facilitated by

Uses "facilitated" instead of "served", focusing on the act of making something easier or possible.

was carried out by

Replaces "served" with "carried out", focusing on the completion of an action or task.

was attended by

Replaces "served" with "attended", highlighting the service in context of restaurants/service providers.

was rendered by

Uses "rendered" instead of "served", often used in the context of services or performances.

was administered by

Substitute "served" with "administered", highlighting something like justice/medication.

was executed by

Substitutes "served" with "executed", emphasizing the carrying out of a plan or task.

was brought about by

Uses "brought about" instead of "served", highlighting the fact that something was caused or produced.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was served by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "was provided by" or "was administered by", depending on the context. These options add a layer of professionalism to your writing.

What are some alternatives to "was served by" in a legal context?

In legal writing, you might use phrases like "was executed by" or "was delivered by" to describe how a legal document or process was handled. The best choice depends on the specific action you are describing.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "was served by"?

The passive voice is often preferred when using "was served by" because it emphasizes the object or person receiving the service rather than the actor. For instance, "The customer was served by the waiter" focuses on the customer's experience.

How does the meaning change if I use "was serviced by" instead of "was served by"?

While similar, "was serviced by" typically implies maintenance or repair, whereas "was served by" suggests provision of a good or service. For example, a car might be 'serviced' but a customer is 'served'.