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Bepleased Posted 15 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

About [to serve]

Hi,

Could any naive speaker tell me the meanings in the definition of [to serve]?

In dictionary, [to serve]: to work for; to give service to;

There, in [work for], does the [for] mean [shows purpose]?

in [give service to], does the [in] mean [in connection with]?

Thank you for your assistance.
  

Top answer

bepleased There, in [work for], does the [for] mean [shows purpose]? No, it only indicates a person or a company who is a superior. I serve my master.

  • bepleased There, in [work for], does the [for] mean [shows purpose]?
  • No, it only indicates a person or a company who is a superior.
  • I serve my master.
  • ) The minister serves his congregation.
  • (He works for the congregation.
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8 Answers
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bepleasedThere, in [work for], does the [for] mean [shows purpose]?
No, it only indicates a person or a company who is a superior.

I serve my master. (I work for my boss.)

The minister serves his congregation. (He works for the congregation. )
bepleasedin [give service to], does the [in] mean [in connection with]
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Hi,

As your suggestion, "I work for my boss."-----[for]used to show the reason for my working;

----the orininal = My boss is the reason for me to work. Or I am used to my boss. (I'm employed to my boss.)

----I work, connected with my boss' employment.

Otherwis, your idea means “I work in favor of my boss.” "I work in order to improve the condition of my boss."
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I don't have the same interpretation.

I work for Mr. Jones. (He is the person in the organization that I report to.)

Mr. Jones is not the reason I am working - it is just our relative positions in a company.

I work for Jason's Bakery. (I sell bread and rolls and they pay me to do that. The reason I work there is because they offered me a job, and I took it.)

If
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Hi,

Sorry about the confusion.

[Serve = to work for] is misplaced, it should be serve = to do work for.

Shall it have effect on you to interpretation?

In "I serve Mr. Jones." as your explanation, can it be adapted ----I get a job as secrtary to Mr. Jones?

Thank you for your assistance agiain.
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bepleasedIn "I serve Mr. Jones." as your explanation, can it be adapted --I get a job as secrtary to Mr. Jones?
Serve has a more subtle meaning, and perhaps has changed over time. For example, in modern English, it most frequently is used with a religious application. You will hear devout Christians saying:

I serve the Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Hi,

The below you have done is at the cord of [serve].

You mentioned to [relate to] and [serve the Lord]that told me point-blank what it is.

1. If I say "I serve Mr. Jones." This means that my relation to Mr. Jones is a close personal assistant. Perhaps I am his chauffeur, personal secretary or a manservant.

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I think that you understand the meaning of serve.

All the best,

A-Emotion: stars
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Hi,

Thank you for your assistance.

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