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First come - first serve vs. First come - first served

First come - first serve

/ˌfɜːrst ˈkʌm ˌfɜːrst ˈsɜːrv/

A principal that people are served or dealt with in the order in which they arrive or request service.

Examples:

Entry tickets sold on a first come, first serve basis.Hotel rooms during holidays are often first come, first serve.Concert seats will be filled on a first come, first serve rule.

Synonyms:

This word has no synonyms

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

First come - first served

/ˌfɜrst ˈkʌm ˌfɜrst ˈsɜrvd/

A rule that gives priority to those who arrive earliest, ensuring they are served before others.

Examples:

Tickets are on a first come, first served basis.Access to the best seats is first come, first served.Lunch is distributed on a first come, first served schedule.

Synonyms:

This word has no synonyms

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

Remember that first come, first served is like first arrived, first got served.
The phrase first come, first serve might sound logical but it's missing the past tense needed for the right understanding.
Served indicates that the service has been completed, making it appropriate for the phrase's intention.
If you see first served, think served like past tense because the service is completed for those who came first.
In sentences, past tense verbs often end in -ed, which can remind you to use served.

Master confusing words with ease

First come - first serve vs. First come - first served

First come - first serve

Examples:

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

First come - first served

Examples:

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

When to use first come - first serve:

When to use first come - first served:

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