an early snack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an early snack" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small meal or food item consumed before the usual meal times, typically in the morning or early afternoon. Example: "I usually have an early snack around 10 AM to keep my energy up until lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

— Don't go looking for an early snack at De Laurenti Specialty Food & Wine (1435 1st Ave . [206] 622-0141, delaurenti.com).

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Head straight from the clubs to the fish market for an early morning snack of smoked eel, then learn more about Hamburg harbour at the brand new Maritime Museum, set in a massive 1880s warehouse complex.

The Guardian - Travel

As he sits down for an early evening snack of pickles and vodka at a Russian restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard — an exception for him; the 73-year-old says he doesn't usually like to eat after 3 p.m. — he exhibits a devil-may-care attitude that's been forged over a lifetime spent in several film worlds.

Los Angeles Times

This year, thanks to Bill Clinton's travails, there was some doubt about the appeal of those prominent aisle seats -- enough that fellow members of Congress kept coming up to Mr. Engel to ask whether he would be there early, snack in hand.

The New York Times

A 9-year-old Bronx girl, reaching for a peanut butter jar to prepare an early-morning snack, instead picked up a.22-caliber handgun atop a kitchen cabinet and accidentally shot herself in the chest, the police said.

The New York Times

B1 Accidental Shooting Kills Girl A 9-year-old Bronx girl, reaching for a peanut butter jar to prepare an early-morning snack, instead picked up a.22-caliber handgun atop a cabinet and accidentally shot herself fatally in the chest, the police said.

The New York Times

The following week, I made plans to meet some friends for an early drink and snacks at La Mercerie.

The New Yorker

Now, instead of aspiring to a single evening meal, I feed my kids like hobbits: they eat breakfast, a substantial snack, lunch, an after-school snack, an early dinner and a middle dinner, and my husband and I eat the late dinner.

The New York Times

The round is led by VC firm Octopus Ventures, which was an early backer in healthy snack delivery company Graze.

TechCrunch

Knowing that Spaniards dine late, I stopped into a convenience store in José Luis's neighborhood, Carabanchel, to grab a snack before an early evening visit to the Museo del Prado.

The New York Times

In other ways as well Boqueria sends the message that you needn't commit to a conventional meal, that an early evening or late-night snack — which is what tapas are really about — provides ample reason to drop in.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific instance of eating "an early snack", consider adding details about the snack itself (e.g., "an early snack of fruit and yogurt") or the reason for eating it (e.g., "an early snack to boost energy levels").

Common error

Avoid using only vague terms like "food" or "something" to describe "an early snack". Be specific about what the snack consists of to provide more clarity and interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an early snack" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a type of meal consumed before a regularly scheduled meal. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an early snack" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a small meal consumed before a regular meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct for use in written English. The phrase appears across various contexts, from News & Media to Wiki entries. While "an early snack" is quite versatile, providing specific details enhances clarity. You can use alternative phrasing to adjust the emphasis or formality. Understanding these linguistic aspects ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a morning snack

Focuses specifically on a snack consumed in the morning.

a pre-lunch snack

Emphasizes that the snack is eaten before lunchtime.

a quick bite

Highlights the brevity and informality of the snack.

a light refreshment

Suggests a smaller and less substantial snack.

an afternoon nibble

Refers to a small snack eaten in the afternoon.

a mid-morning treat

Emphasizes the enjoyable and rewarding aspect of the snack, specifically around mid-morning.

a pre-breakfast nibble

Refers to a snack eaten even before breakfast.

a small repast

A more formal term for a small meal, used less frequently.

a little something to tide over

Indicates the snack is meant to temporarily satisfy hunger.

a bite before noon

Specifies that the snack is eaten before midday.

FAQs

What does "an early snack" mean?

The phrase "an early snack" refers to a small amount of food eaten before a regular meal, typically before lunch or dinner. It's often consumed to curb hunger or provide a quick energy boost.

What can I say instead of "an early snack"?

You can use alternatives like "a morning snack", "a pre-lunch snack", or "a quick bite" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an early snack"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "an early snack". The article "an" is used correctly before the adjective "early", and "snack" is a common noun.

What is the difference between "an early snack" and "an early dinner"?

"An early snack" is a small portion of food eaten before a regular meal to satisfy hunger temporarily. In contrast, "an early dinner" is a full meal eaten earlier than the typical dinner time.