a main course of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main course of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a primary dish served during a meal, particularly in the context of a menu or dining experience. Example: "For dinner, I ordered a main course of grilled salmon with asparagus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food & Dining

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

For starters dig into his Ceviche de la Mer (seafood ceviche, rocoto, culantro, plantain chips), and you won't go wrong with a main course of Matellote du Pecheur (saffron "paella" risotto, chorizo, black grouper, Maine diver scallop, jumbo prawn, mussels & clams).

Huffington Post

Kim brandished homemade tortillas for a main course of carnitas.

The New York Times - Food

Patsy's Italian restaurant did the sit-down dinner: antipasti and a main course of veal.

The New York Times - Style

Chalked up behind the bar were the specials, including a main course of trout for £18.

The Guardian - Travel

Julia fired back with homemade gougères before a main course of bucatini.

The New York Times - Food

A main course of a sandwich or salad lowers that average considerably.

The New York Times

A main course of thinly pounded steak was also smothered in garlic-laced mushrooms.

The New York Times

For a fiver, my wife and I had a main course of kushari, drinks and dessert.

The Guardian - Travel

A main course of rabbit saw the animal taken apart with surgical precision.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though a main course of grilled seafood ($15) included fine scallops and calamari in a sauce of garlic and olive oil, it also had those tasteless shrimp and pieces of overcooked salmon.

The New York Times - Food

Appetizers of marinated raw fish (fluke or hamachi) lack distinctiveness; on a recent visit, a main course of sturgeon had nothing to say to the puréed beets that accompanied it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing menus or dining experiences, use "a main course of" to clearly indicate the central dish of the meal. This helps set expectations for what to anticipate after appetizers and before desserts.

Common error

While "a main course of" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repetitively in a single piece of writing. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "the entree", "the primary dish" or by directly stating the dish's name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main course of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It specifies the type of dish being referred to, identifying it as the primary or most substantial dish in a meal. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a clear and grammatically sound usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main course of" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase for describing the central dish of a meal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is found extensively in news, travel, and food-related content. While its usage is widespread, it's advisable to vary your writing by using alternatives such as "the entree" or "the featured dish" to avoid repetition. The phrase serves a clear purpose: to inform about the core culinary offering in a dining experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the principal dish of

Replaces "main" with "principal", emphasizing the dish's primary importance.

the primary dish of

Substitutes "main" with "primary", highlighting that the dish is of first importance.

the featured entree of

Uses "featured entree" to indicate the highlighted dish of the meal.

the main offering of

Replaces "course" with "offering", focusing on the dish as a presented item.

the central component of the meal

Highlights the dish's role as the central part of the entire meal.

the main selection for

Emphasizes the choice aspect of the dish within a meal.

the highlight of the menu

Shifts focus to the dish being a notable aspect of the overall menu.

the centerpiece of the dinner

Describes the dish as the most prominent part of the dinner.

the chef's special selection

Focuses on the dish as a distinct and sometimes unique item made by the chef.

the heart of the meal

Uses a metaphor to describe the central and most satisfying part of the meal.

FAQs

How can I use "a main course of" in a sentence?

You can use "a main course of" to describe the primary dish in a meal, such as "For dinner, I had "a main course of" grilled salmon".

What's a simple substitute for "a main course of"?

A simple substitute could be "the entree", especially when discussing a multi-course meal in a restaurant setting. For instance, "I really enjoyed "the entree".".

Is it always necessary to specify "a main course of"?

No, it's not always necessary. If the context makes it clear you're talking about the primary dish, you can simply refer to the dish itself. For example, instead of ""a main course of" lasagna", you could just say "I had lasagna".

How does "a main course of" differ from "appetizers" or "desserts"?

"A main course of" refers to the most substantial dish of a meal, typically following appetizers and preceding desserts. Appetizers are small, introductory dishes, while desserts are sweet dishes served at the end.