served in vs served on

Both 'served in' and 'served on' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Served in' is used when referring to serving in a specific role or position, such as serving in the military or serving in a company. 'Served on' is used when referring to serving on a physical object or surface, such as serving on a committee or serving on a board.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1198 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to serving in a specific role or position.

"served in"

Use 'served in' when referring to serving in a specific role, organization, or position, such as serving in the military, serving in a company, or serving in a government position.

Examples:

He served in the army for ten years.
She served in a managerial role at the company.
They served in various capacities in the government.

Show examples from the web [+]

She served in Afghanistan. I saw her file just now.
He served in Korea and was personally cited by Douglas MacArthur for bravery at the battle of Inchon.
Supper is now being served in both lounges.
Late night java is now being served in the cafeteria.
I served in a hospital in Pusan.
His family is every troop who ever served in uniform.
Gazpacho served in a tiny purse.
I've served in four different cities.
It's real Hawaiian food... served in an authentic medieval English dungeon atmosphere.
Coffee will be served in the living room, Mr Madvig.
For a brief time, I served in a small parish in England.
She served in my support unit in Afghanistan.
Steve Henderson served in 101st airborne in Iraq.
Michael Chasseur served in the 101st Airborne.
Lafferty and Molloy served in this force together.
Someone called Stephen Morton served in the Royal Artillery.
And I am proud to have served in the military.
Tim Novak served in the Six-Four proudly for 25 years.
Remember, I served in the war.
I served in a little soup kitchen called Vietnam.

Alternatives:

worked in
participated in
held a position in
was employed in
was a member of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to serving on a physical object or surface.

"served on"

Use 'served on' when referring to serving on a committee, board, panel, or similar physical or metaphorical entity.

Examples:

She served on the board of directors for five years.
He served on the organizing committee for the event.
They served on the editorial panel for the journal.

Show examples from the web [+]

1 The decision on the issuing of the European Enforcement Order was served on the debtor on...
Smoked, glazed, served on a sugar cane quill.
I've never served on a battleship, so I can't compare...
You're looking for a head served on a platter.
We also have an extremely tender, local, farm-raised waitress named Jocelyn served on a bed of your choosing.
I've served on this council longer than any vampire, save for Roman.
He only got time served on the stalking.
Rabbit roulade and fried leg served on bread pudding.
Joe served on the jury of a murder he committed.
It's going to be served on them.
We served on the Goliath together.
I found that list of people who served on Ballard's audit.
Yes, we've served on several boards together over the years.
He likes his soup served on the dot.
I served on a NASCAR pit crew.
Cocktails will be served on the lawn from half past four.
He served on check fraud, embezzlement, Forgery and grand larceny.
I served on the task force that investigated those six murders.
I've served on Battlestar since I was 18 years old.
I served on Enterprise for three years.

Alternatives:

participated on
was a member of
worked on
contributed to
was part of

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served in vs served on

"served in"

"served on"

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