among the diners

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among the diners" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of people who are eating together, often in a restaurant or similar setting. Example: "The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and conversation flowing freely among the diners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Greene himself was among the diners.

The New Yorker

The crust that remains at the bottom of the pot is divided among the diners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among the diners was Louise Kerz Hirschfeld, the artist's widow and a member.

The New York Times

Among the diners are employees and patrons from elsewhere in the shopping center.

The New York Times

There is a great passing back and forth among the diners of Apple Macs and iPhones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Blue said he may even wander among the diners, tenor in hand, in the tradition of the strolling violinist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Among the dishes the diners are waiting to sample are silky panang curries of braised beef cheeks and isaan hot soup that stops just short of blowing your head off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among the 300 diners there was a deal of suspicion about why they had been invited for roast beef and plum duff.

The Economist

But publishers, editors and literary agents, who have often been among the best diners in the city, are now reconsidering their favorite restaurants.

The New York Times - Books

Among the old diners there was a little grey-whiskered man nearing his ninetieth year who had frequented the Cheese for sixty years.

The Guardian - Books

"Look around you," said Bill Maguire, a 78-year-old retiree, as he stood among the placid diners and rosy shoppers at Faneuil Hall Marketplace here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "among the diners", ensure the context clearly defines who the diners are. This phrase works best when the group of diners is already established or easily identifiable.

Common error

Avoid using "among the diners" if the individuals eating are not clearly identifiable within the context. Ensure the group is well-defined to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among the diners" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb, noun, or adjective to indicate location or inclusion. It specifies where someone or something is situated in relation to a group of people who are eating. Ludwig AI confirms the proper usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "among the diners" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something being located within a group of people who are eating. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is primarily used in News & Media contexts and has a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the group of diners is clearly defined within the context. Alternatives like "with the diners" and "in the presence of the diners" offer subtly different nuances. While generally safe to use, avoid if the diners are not easily identifiable or explicitly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the guests eating

Similar meaning, replacing 'diners' with 'guests eating'.

with the diners

Focuses on direct interaction or being in the company of diners.

within the group of diners

Focuses on being included inside a specific group of diners.

surrounded by the diners

Highlights being enclosed or closely bordered by diners.

mingling with the diners

Focuses on actively interacting and socializing with the diners.

in the presence of the diners

More formal, emphasizing being within sight or awareness of diners.

in the company of the diners

Highlights being together or sharing a social experience with the diners.

part of the dining crowd

Emphasizes being one of many people eating together.

at the tables with the diners

Specifies being physically present at the same tables as the diners.

in the dining area

Shifts focus to the location where diners are present.

FAQs

How can I use "among the diners" in a sentence?

You can use "among the diners" to describe someone's presence or actions within a group of people eating. For example: "The musician wandered "among the diners", playing his saxophone."

What's a more formal alternative to "among the diners"?

A more formal alternative could be "in the presence of the diners", which emphasizes being within sight or awareness of the group. This is less casual than simply being "among the diners".

How is "among the diners" different from "with the diners"?

"Among the diners" suggests being one of many in a group, while "with the diners" implies a more direct interaction or companionship. You are simply one of the guests when you are "among the diners".

Is it always necessary to specify "the" before "diners" in the phrase "among the diners"?

Yes, including "the" before "diners" is important because it indicates a specific group of people who are dining, making the phrase more contextually clear. Omitting "the" could make the phrase sound less natural and more ambiguous.