act as vs serve as

Both 'act as' and 'serve as' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably in many contexts. They both mean to function or behave in a particular way. The choice between them depends on the specific context and personal preference.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 307 views

act as

The phrase 'act as' is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone or something is performing a particular role or function. It implies that the entity is taking on a specific duty or responsibility.

Examples:

In this play, she will act as the lead character.
The manager will act as the spokesperson for the company.
The new software will act as a bridge between the two systems.

Show examples from the web [+]

Synthetic dyes can also act as ligands for proteins.
Autoantibodies can act as markers for different autoimmune diseases.
Phenazine methosulphate can act as acceptor.
Her own heart could act as a natural motor.
D.H.S. sent me down here to act as a liaison.
I'm not going to act as a postman between you both.
Servers act as a central repository for host configuration information.
Composite app development involves numerous dependencies that act as constraints.
And what these cognitive biases do is they act as filters between us and reality.
I'd like to act as an intermediary to resolve this issue without further bloodshed.
On a night like tonight, he should act as a third footman.
The reintroduction of CO2 could act as a catalyst.
Water will act as a conductor, allowing me to enter your mind.
Compounds that act as natural antifreeze.
Rhythmic flashes like this could act as a neural trigger.
It was funny watching you act as brothers.
These act as guides to lead players towards their objective.
Nucleotides also act as coenzymes in metabolic-group-transfer reactions.
There the dead could act as protective ancestors.
Universities act as a method of reducing inter-generational conflict.

Alternatives:

function as
perform as
play the role of
fulfill the role of
operate as

serve as

The phrase 'serve as' is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone or something is fulfilling a particular purpose or function. It implies that the entity is providing a service or benefit in a specific capacity.

Examples:

The new building will serve as the headquarters for the company.
Her experience will serve as a valuable asset to the team.
The book can serve as a useful reference for students.

Show examples from the web [+]

For water landings, I am designed to serve as a flotation device.
Regulation can all too often serve as an unnecessary barrier to entry.
Animals can serve as donors for humans.
Annex 2 can serve as a guide but cannot provide binding rules for the investigation.
Quality should serve as the overarching criterion governing the project evaluation and award process in the LIFE Programme.
This may also serve as an educative means to improve awareness of the issue amongst European citizens.
The visibility guidelines already drawn up by the Commission can serve as a general model.
This can serve as the basis for stronger democratic participation in transnational politics.
The PRIME model is to serve as the basis for calculating energy efficiency.
Recent EDP procedures and Stability and Convergence Programmes' assessment may serve as an example.
It should serve as a target for other negotiations currently underway.
I serve as liaison with private contractors during training.
National regulations could serve as a basis here.
Tunisia and Egypt serve as examples for others.
Penalties must serve as deterrents so that controls are functional.
These serve as reminders of what was.
All those who will serve as your shield are the most reputed swordsmen.
This will serve as our true beginning and our schedule shall be counted from then.
You serve as our guide to Severak.
And serve as orientation to the Court.

Alternatives:

function as
act as
work as
operate as
fulfill the role of

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