was served with

USAGE SUMMARY

'was served with' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "The food was served with a selection of sides and sauces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was served with its colourful feathers.

The Guardian

It was served with Worcestershire sauce.

The New York Times - Food

Stockhammer was served with foreclosure papers on New Year's Eve.

The Guardian - Money

Cardinal Ratzinger, however, was served with legal papers.

The New York Times

Then dinner was served, with copious amounts of wine.

The Guardian

The calamari was served with a solid, basic marinara.

The New York Times

It was served with rich, delicate gravy, white meat first.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was serving with your buddies that really counted.

Huffington Post

Can also be served with salsa verde.

Independent

Food is served, with beer replacing coffee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To be served with coffee sauce.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a formal tone in academic writing, "was served with" is a suitable choice when detailing experimental conditions or describing how data or samples were provided.

Common error

Avoid using "was served with" when you mean to say that someone actively served something. For example, instead of "The waiter was served with the complaint", say "The waiter received the complaint".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was served with" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received something along with something else. Ludwig shows that it is often used to describe the accompaniment to food items or legal documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science & Research

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was served with" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe accompaniments or items presented alongside a main subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently encountered in contexts such as describing food dishes, legal procedures, or other situations where something is presented with something else. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various forms of writing, especially news reports and descriptions. To avoid misuse, ensure that the subject and object clearly indicate what received the service and what it was accompanied by. Alternative phrases like "came with" or "included" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicate the phrase's widespread acceptance and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was accompanied by

Formally states that something else was present along with the main subject.

came with

Focuses on what accompanies the main subject, often in a food context, similar to "was served with".

included

Highlights the presence of something as part of a set or meal, similar to an accompaniment.

featured

Emphasizes a prominent or notable element included with something.

was presented with

Shifts the focus to the act of offering or giving something along with the main item.

arrived with

Highlights the simultaneous arrival of multiple items.

is complemented by

Focuses on how something enhances or improves the main subject.

contained

Highlights the inclusion of certain items as components.

boasted

Emphasizes a proud or notable inclusion.

was furnished with

Implies that something was supplied along with something else. Could refer to furniture.

FAQs

How can I use "was served with" in a sentence?

Use "was served with" to indicate that something was presented or provided alongside something else, such as "The main course "was served with" a side salad" or "The defendant "was served with" a subpoena".

What's a more concise way to say "was served with"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "included", "featured", or "came with". For instance, instead of "The meal "was served with" potatoes", you could say "The meal "came with" potatoes".

Is it correct to use "was served with" in both culinary and legal contexts?

Yes, "was served with" is appropriate in both culinary (e.g., food) and legal (e.g., documents) contexts. However, ensure the subject and object align with the intended meaning. It should be "The meal was served with wine" and "The defendant "was served with" a summons".

What's the difference between "was served with" and "was presented with"?

"Was served with" typically implies that something accompanied a meal or another item. "Was presented with" suggests a more formal or deliberate act of offering something, like an award or opportunity. "The dish "was served with" a sauce" vs. "The employee "was presented with" an award".