while on service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while on service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or activity occurring during a period of service, such as in a job or duty. Example: "The employees are required to wear uniforms while on service to maintain a professional appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Nine patients were wounded while on service in Iraq with the remainder injured in Afghanistan.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Butterworth lost his left arm in 2007 following an insurgent rocket attack in Iraq while on service for the RAF.

BBC

In 2010, Bravo November was involved in another incident while on service in Afghanistan when pilot Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune was hit by a ricochet from a bullet fired by Taliban fighters during an extraction of injured soldiers.

Wikipedia

Subjects participated in the EHR simulation while on service in the MICU.

BMC Medical Education

Although many of the physicians practiced other aspects of medicine than critical care, 67% of them reported being most happy while on service for critical care, and this was despite the fact that most (61%) indicated that critical care was more stressful.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In any case, users can gab on one service while typing on another service now regardless of whether they're bundled.

Forbes

While on-demand services and Web sales are becoming a substantial revenue stream, more expensive specialty endeavors continue to need theatrical distribution to have any hope of turning a profit.

The New York Times

While on-demand services are increasingly popular, especially among younger viewers – Netflix has more than 5 million subscribers in the UK – traditional TV channels still accounts for around four-fifths of viewing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

While previous work on service selection addressed the first case, we are interested in the multi-process case.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

For a while on Wednesday, electricity, phone service and water were cut off.

The New York Times

Purchases of nondurable goods rose 0.3percentt in February, while spending on services increased 0.6percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while on service", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of service being referred to (e.g., military, public, or professional) to avoid ambiguity. For example: "While on military service, soldiers must adhere to strict regulations."

Common error

Avoid using "while on service" without specifying the type of service, as it can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "Mistakes can happen while on service", be specific: "Mistakes can happen while on active military service" or "Mistakes can happen while on customer service duty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while on service" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the time or circumstances under which an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while on service" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote that an action occurs during a period of duty or employment. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity, although it's worth noting that the phrase appears relatively infrequently compared to alternatives like "while on duty". Common contexts for this phrase include News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. For clarity, it's best practice to specify the type of service being referenced (e.g., military, customer) to avoid ambiguity. When you need to express the same idea, consider using alternative phrases, for example: "during active duty", "during duty hours", or "whilst in service".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whilst in service

Uses a more formal British English term "whilst" instead of "while".

while performing duties

Replaces "service" with the more explicit "performing duties".

while engaged in duty

Replaces "on service" with "engaged in duty", providing a slightly more descriptive alternative.

during active duty

Focuses specifically on military duty and uses more formal language.

while fulfilling responsibilities

Emphasizes the act of fulfilling specific responsibilities.

during duty hours

Emphasizes that the activity occurs within scheduled work times.

during operational hours

Highlights that the activity happens during the operational period.

while at work

Simplifies the phrase to a more general expression of being at work.

during employment

Focuses on time period of a regular job.

on active deployment

Specifies a military deployment context.

FAQs

What does "while on service" mean?

The phrase "while on service" generally refers to the time when someone is actively performing their duties or responsibilities in a particular role or job, often within a military or public sector context.

What are some alternatives to saying "while on service"?

Alternatives include "during active duty" (if referring to the military), "during duty hours", or "whilst in service". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "while on duty" instead of "while on service"?

Yes, "while on duty" is a perfectly acceptable and often more common alternative to "while on service". "While on duty" is a broader term and can apply to various professions and roles, not just military or public service.

How can I make the phrase "while on service" more specific?

To be more specific, clarify the type of service. For example, use "while on military service", "while on jury service", "while on customer service duty", or "while on active service" to provide more context.