After dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"after dinner" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "We went for a walk after dinner to take in the fresh air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Take an after dinner walk.

WikiHow

"After dinner".

The New Yorker

After dinner, we had brandy.

The New Yorker

After dinner, Malcolm arrived.

The New Yorker

After dinner, my father left the house.

The New York Times

After dinner, nobody went home right away.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

After-dinner drinks — sambuca, anyone?

The New York Times

An after-dinner cheese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ghosn's after-dinner remarks are worth repeating.

Forbes

He instead became an after-dinner speaker.

Wikipedia

No after-dinner burger runs necessary.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, use "after dinner" to clearly indicate the timing relative to the meal. For example, "After dinner, we went for a walk and enjoyed the sunset."

Common error

Avoid using "after dinner" when you mean "during dinner" or "with dinner". "After dinner" specifically refers to the time following the meal's conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after dinner" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, indicating the timing of an action or event in relation to the completion of the evening meal. Ludwig's examples show it modifying verbs, specifying when something occurs. It adds temporal context to the surrounding clause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after dinner" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the timing of events following the evening meal. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier and serves to establish temporal order in a narrative or description. While applicable across different registers, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. Writers should ensure they are using "after dinner" to indicate events that occur subsequent to the meal, not during it. Alternative phrases such as "following the meal" or "post-dinner" can be used to vary sentence structure while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Following the meal

Replaces "dinner" with the more general term "meal", slightly broadening the context.

Post-dinner

Uses a prefix to create an adjective, offering a more concise and slightly more formal tone.

Subsequent to dinner

Employs a more formal and literary tone, suitable for academic or sophisticated contexts.

After the evening meal

Substitutes "dinner" with a more descriptive term, clarifying the time of day.

Following supper

Replaces "dinner" with "supper", denoting the evening meal and implying a more informal setting.

Once dinner is finished

Introduces a subordinate clause, specifying the completion of the meal as a condition.

Upon completion of dinner

Offers a more formal and structured alternative, emphasizing the completion aspect.

The dinner having ended

Uses a participial phrase to indicate time, sounding more literary and formal.

Later in the evening

Shifts the focus to a broader timeframe, implying that dinner has already occurred.

After the repast

Replaces "dinner" with a more old-fashioned and formal term, suitable for historical or ceremonial contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "after dinner" in a sentence?

Use "after dinner" to describe events or activities that occur following the completion of the evening meal. For example, "After dinner, we often play board games as a family."

What are some alternatives to saying "after dinner"?

You can use phrases like "following the meal", "post-dinner", or "subsequent to dinner" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "after to dinner"?

No, the correct phrasing is "after dinner". The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What activities are commonly associated with "after dinner"?

Common "after dinner" activities include having dessert, engaging in conversation, going for a walk, or relaxing with a book or television program.