What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
serve
Example
The waiter will serve us our meals shortly. [serve: verb]
Example
He served his country for many years in the army. [served: past tense]
Example
She volunteers at the homeless shelter to serve those in need. [serve: verb]
contribute
Example
I want to contribute to the charity to help those in need. [contribute: verb]
Example
She contributed her expertise to the project, making it a success. [contributed: past tense]
Example
We all need to contribute to make this community a better place. [contribute: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Serve is more commonly used in the context of hospitality or customer service, while contribute is more commonly used in the context of charity or community involvement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between serve and contribute?
Both serve and contribute can be used in formal and informal contexts, but serve is often associated with a more formal tone due to its use in the context of duty or responsibility.
