What Does โServe sb with sthโ Mean?
โServe sb with sthโ means to officially give someone a legal document, usually in a court case. It can also mean to provide or offer someone something, like food or service.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โServe sb with sthโ has important uses in English, especially in legal and everyday contexts. Its most common meaning is to deliver legal papers to someone, informing them officially about a case or legal action. However, it can also mean simply providing or giving someone something, such as serving a customer with food or drinks. Understanding the โServe sb with sth meaningโ helps learners use this phrase correctly in different situations. This guide explains how to use it, provides examples, and highlights common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Serve sb with sth (serve somebody with something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To officially give someone something, especially legal papers, or to provide someone with something.
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โServe sb with sthโ is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object โsbโ (somebody) between โserveโ and โwith,โ but the โsthโ (something) always follows โwith.โ
- Correct: Serve someone with legal papers.
- Also correct: Serve legal papers to someone. (alternative structure, less common)
- Incorrect: Serve with someone sth.
The typical pattern is: serve + somebody + with + something.
How to Use Serve sb with sth?
This phrasal verb is mainly used in two contexts. First, in legal situations, when someone is given official documents like court summons or notices. Second, in everyday life, it can mean giving or providing something, such as serving a customer with a meal or a product.
When using it legally, it implies a formal action. When used in daily life, it often refers to offering or providing something politely or officially.
Examples
Imagine a lawyer delivering important papers to a client. They would say:
- The court served him with a summons yesterday.
- She was served with divorce papers last week.
Here are more examples showing โServe sb with sth in a sentenceโ:
- The waiter served us with delicious food.
- They served the defendant with a notice of hearing.
- The company served customers with free samples at the event.
- He was served with a restraining order by the police.
- Our school served students with new laptops this semester.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse the word order or prepositions when using this phrasal verb. Here are some common errors:
- Incorrect: The court served with him the papers.
- Correct: The court served him with the papers.
- Incorrect: She served the papers to him.
- Correct: She served him with the papers. (More formal/legal)
Remember, โserveโ requires the person receiving the item right after it, followed by โwithโ and the item.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Give sb sth: More general and informal, not used in legal contexts.
- Deliver sth to sb: Focuses on physically bringing something, less formal.
- Hand sb sth: Informal, usually physical handing over.
- Serve sb with sth: Formal, often legal or official, but also used in service contexts.
For example, โserve someone with legal papersโ is more precise and formal than โgive someone legal papers.โ
Common Collocations
In legal and daily contexts, โserve sb with sthโ is commonly used with these objects:
- Legal papers: Official documents related to court cases.
- Summons: A court order to appear.
- Notice: An official written announcement.
- Food/drinks: Offering meals or beverages.
- Documents: General paperwork or files.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of serve sb with sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Imagine two friends discussing a legal issue:
Anna: Have you heard? John was served with divorce papers yesterday.
Ben: Really? That must be difficult for him.
Anna: Yes, the court officially served him with the documents last week.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks to practice the phrasal verb:
- The lawyer ________ the defendant ________ the court summons.
- The waiter ________ us ________ the special menu.
- She was ________ with a notice to appear in court.
- They ________ customers ________ free samples at the event.
FAQ
- Q: Can โserve sb with sthโ be used in informal situations?
A: It is mostly formal, especially in legal contexts, but can be used informally when offering food or service.
- Q: Is โserve sb sthโ correct without โwithโ?
A: No, in this phrasal verb, โwithโ is necessary to link the object being served.
- Q: What is the difference between โserve sb with sthโ and โgive sb sthโ?
A: โServe sb with sthโ is more formal and often legal, while โgive sb sthโ is general and informal.
- Q: Can you separate the objects in โserve sb with sthโ?
A: You cannot separate โwithโ from โsth,โ but you can place the person โsbโ after โserve.โ
- Q: Is โserve someone with legal papersโ used only in law?
A: Yes, this phrase is mainly used in legal contexts for official document delivery.
