a dinner plate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dinner plate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific type of plate typically used for serving main courses during a meal. Example: "She set the table with a beautiful dinner plate for each guest, ensuring a lovely dining experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cover with a dinner plate.

The New York Times

Lightly oil a dinner plate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A dinner plate is $50.

The New York Times

A dinner plate sells for $12.

The New York Times - Travel

A storm on a dinner plate?

The Guardian - Music

Two drinking glasses and a dinner plate perched on top.

The New York Times

The landscape is as flat as a dinner plate.

The Guardian

A dinner plate costs $12, and a pitcher is $29.

The New York Times

Plastic and glass bottles, and a dinner plate, were thrown at police.

The Guardian

I really like it" – and his watch is a monster, the size of a dinner plate.

Independent

And they could be coming to a dinner plate near you.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a place setting, use "a dinner plate" to clearly indicate the plate intended for the main course. For example, "The table was set with a crisp white tablecloth and a gleaming "a dinner plate" at each setting."

Common error

Don't use "a dinner plate" when you mean any plate. Specify the type of plate to avoid confusion. For instance, if you are referring to a decorative plate, call it "a decorative plate" instead of simply "a dinner plate".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a dinner plate" is as a noun phrase. It serves as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a specific type of plate. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dinner plate" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to a specific type of plate intended for the main course of a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately describes the intended plate and avoid ambiguity by specifying other plate types when needed. With its neutral register, "a dinner plate" is a versatile term suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a main course plate

Specifies the plate's purpose, highlighting that it's intended for the main course.

a serving plate

Emphasizes the plate's function in serving food, rather than its specific use for dinner.

a china plate

Highlights the material of the plate, implying a certain level of quality or formality.

a ceramic plate

Similar to "a china plate", but refers to a broader category of materials.

tableware plate

A more general term for a plate used at the table, not specific to dinner.

dishware plate

Another general term for a plate, focusing on it as part of a set of dishes.

a large plate

Describes the plate's size, suitable when contrasting with smaller plates.

a round plate

Focuses on the shape of the plate, useful when other plates might be square or oval.

a flat plate

Emphasizes the plate's flatness, distinguishing it from bowls or deeper dishes.

a clean plate

Highlights the state of the plate, often used in the context of finishing a meal.

FAQs

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

You can use "a dinner plate" to describe tableware, like "The waiter carefully placed "a dinner plate" before each guest" or to compare sizes, for instance, "The stain was the size of "a dinner plate"".

What are some alternatives to "a dinner plate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a main course plate" if emphasizing the course, or "a serving plate" if highlighting its function.

Which is correct, "a dinner plate" or "dinner plate"?

"A dinner plate" is generally correct when referring to a single, specific plate. "Dinner plate" (without the article "a") can be used as a general descriptor, such as in "dinner plate sets".

What's the difference between "a dinner plate" and "a luncheon plate"?

The primary difference is size and intended use. "A dinner plate" is typically larger and meant for the main course, while "a luncheon plate" is smaller and used for lighter meals or lunches.