an initial lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first meal or meeting that takes place, often in a business or social context. Example: "We scheduled an initial lunch to discuss the project details and get to know each other better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"After an initial lunch meeting, someone emailed me once or twice a week to continue the conversation.

Huffington Post

An initial lunch with Mr. Kellman was a revelation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Tankian is not a musical-theater fan, but that initial lunch with Mr. Sater, where the two talked art and politics, helped to change his mind.

The New York Times

So, what made the initial lunch so awful is what made the show such a success.

The Guardian

The most frequent question I'm asked is what happened at that initial lunch meeting with Ernestine Fu where she first suggested I work with Alsop Louie Partners.

TechCrunch

"It was during an initial conversation over lunch that the idea for Imaginary started to come together: let's build a fund focused on early-stage businesses obsessed with the consumer, and help create the global retail brands and platforms of the future".

TechCrunch

The woman alleged that, after an initial meeting at a modeling event days earlier, Weinstein had offered to take her to lunch to discuss her career.

Vice

It took the home team 90 minutes to get an initial breakthrough and two full sessions to dismiss them, despite the omnipresent jag off a length before lunch.

The Guardian - Sport

D'Oliveira's efforts spearheaded an initial strong response from the home side after Essex had declared at 451 for nine on the stroke of lunch.

The Guardian - Sport

"This was an initial step".

The New York Times

There was an initial bump.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an initial lunch" in a professional context, consider clarifying its purpose (e.g., discussing a project, networking) to avoid ambiguity. For example: "An initial lunch was arranged to discuss project milestones."

Common error

Avoid using "an initial lunch" when the 'initial' aspect is already implied or obvious. For example, if it's understood to be the first meeting, simply say "we had lunch" to prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial lunch" functions as a noun phrase, where "initial" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "lunch". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, usually to denote the beginning of a business or social context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial lunch" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a first lunch meeting, often with the purpose of introduction or laying groundwork for future interactions. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news and media, though its overall frequency is rare. When writing, ensure the use of "an initial lunch" provides necessary context; otherwise, simpler alternatives may be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a first lunch meeting

Emphasizes the meeting aspect alongside the meal, adding clarity about the purpose.

a preliminary luncheon

Uses a more formal synonym for lunch and implies a preparatory nature.

an introductory lunch

Focuses on the aspect of introduction or getting acquainted during the meal.

the first lunch together

Highlights the shared experience and the beginning of a relationship.

our inaugural lunch

Implies a formal beginning or the start of a tradition.

a kick-off lunch

Uses informal term 'kick-off' to suggest the start of an activity or project.

a get-acquainted lunch

Clearly states the purpose is to become familiar with someone.

an opening lunch

Similar to 'initial', but can also imply the beginning of an event or series of lunches.

a first-time lunch

Emphasizes the novelty of the lunch event.

a trial lunch

Suggests the lunch is an experiment or a test of compatibility.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial lunch" to describe the first lunch meeting you have with someone. For example: "An initial lunch was scheduled to discuss the new marketing campaign." or "The success of the project stemmed from "an initial lunch" where we aligned our goals."

What are some alternatives to "an initial lunch"?

Some alternatives to "an initial lunch" include "a first lunch meeting", "a preliminary luncheon", or "an introductory lunch". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is it redundant to say "an initial lunch meeting"?

While not strictly incorrect, "an initial lunch meeting" can be slightly redundant because the term "lunch" often implies a meeting. Consider using ""an initial lunch"" or "a first lunch meeting" for conciseness.

When is it appropriate to use "an initial lunch" in professional communication?

It's appropriate to use "an initial lunch" in professional communication when you want to specify that the lunch is the first encounter or meeting. For instance, you might say, "An initial lunch is planned to assess compatibility and cultural fit among employees.