after lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after lunch" is correct and can be used in written English.
Here is an example sentence: "We will plan our trip to the beach after lunch." You can use this phrase whenever lunch has been mentioned, or if you are referring to the time of day after lunch has been eaten.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AFTER lunch, we finally tried lake skiing.

The New York Times - Travel

After lunch.

The New Yorker

We continued after lunch.

The New Yorker

Just go after lunch.

The New York Times

"He said after lunch.

The New Yorker

After lunch, they go shopping.

The New York Times

employee walking there after lunch.

The New Yorker

After lunch, everyone switched tables.

The New Yorker

After lunch, the situation deteriorated.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Nope, not till after lunch".

The New Yorker

Night falls soon after lunch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after lunch", ensure the context clearly establishes what "lunch" refers to. If the lunch being referenced is not immediately obvious, specify it (e.g., "after the conference lunch").

Common error

Avoid using "after lunch" when the timeframe is unclear or could refer to different lunch periods (e.g., on different days). Specify the date or event if necessary to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after lunch" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurs. As Ludwig indicates, it's a grammatically sound construction. Many examples on Ludwig illustrate this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after lunch" serves as a straightforward and commonly used adverbial phrase denoting time subsequent to the midday meal. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting seamlessly into a range of contexts, from formal reports to casual conversations. While generally neutral in tone, ensuring the referenced "lunch" is clear will prevent ambiguity. With its widespread use across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, incorporating "after lunch" into your writing will provide a clear, concise indication of timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

post-lunch

This alternative uses a prefix to create a more concise and slightly more formal expression.

following lunch

This alternative uses a different preposition to express the same temporal sequence.

subsequent to lunch

This alternative is more formal, using more sophisticated vocabulary.

once lunch is finished

This alternative expresses the completion of the meal as a condition for the subsequent action.

after the midday meal

This alternative replaces "lunch" with a more descriptive and formal term.

in the afternoon

This alternative is a more general time reference, encompassing the entire period after midday.

in the post-lunch period

This alternative uses a more clinical and descriptive term.

upon finishing lunch

This alternative focuses on the act of completing lunch as the trigger for the next event.

later in the day

This alternative is even more general, indicating a point in time after the current one.

with lunch concluded

This alternative emphasizes the completed state of the lunch before the next action.

FAQs

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

You can use "after lunch" to indicate a time or event that occurs following the midday meal. For instance, "The meeting will commence "after lunch"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "after lunch"?

Alternatives include "following lunch", "post-lunch", or "in the afternoon", depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

Is it ever incorrect to use "after lunch"?

While generally correct, "after lunch" can be ambiguous if the specific lunch period isn't clear. Providing context, like "after Tuesday's lunch", can resolve any potential confusion.

What is the difference between "after lunch" and "after dinner"?

"After lunch" refers to the period following the midday meal, while "after dinner" pertains to the period following the evening meal. The key difference is the time of day being referenced.