at a wake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a wake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a gathering held to honor and remember someone who has passed away, typically before a funeral. Example: "I saw many familiar faces at a wake for our late neighbor last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A Manhattan police officer who once worked the same Brooklyn tour as Officer Figoski said that Officer Figoski confided to him a year ago, when they were chatting at a wake for an officer, that he wanted to better support his children.

The New York Times

RIGHT: Green works security at a Wake Forest basketball game.

The Washington Post

"It was like being at a wake," he said.

The New York Times

In Muqdadiya, northeast of Baghdad, 11 people were killed by a car bomb at a wake.

The New York Times

I played it at a wake when I was 10 or 11.

The Guardian - Music

A day earlier, more than 150 relatives and friends mourned him at a wake.

The Guardian

Kelly sends one text while waiting on line at a wake.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This causes 395 ms for total latency and 115.5 mW for total power dissipation at a wake-up PR of 1 packet/s.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For this number of the CPS, we can detect the spreading code under the assumed noise floor -118 dBm with the cost of 1.01 s for total latency and 314 mW for total power dissipation at a wake-up packet rate (PR) of 1 packet/s.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Last fall, Craig tried an experiment to see if he could capture more of that magic at a waking hour.

Duke University

In 2008, the Mets lost to Florida on the final day, turning the farewell ceremony at Shea Stadium into a wake.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that occurred at a wake, provide context to acknowledge the solemnity of the occasion. This helps maintain sensitivity and respect for the grieving.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual or humorous language when describing situations "at a wake". The setting calls for respect and empathy. For example, instead of saying "It was a party at a wake", opt for a more appropriate description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a wake" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the location or setting of an event. It modifies a verb or noun, providing context about where something occurred. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a wake" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that specifies the location of an event or action as taking place during a wake. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and indicates its frequent use, particularly within News & Media. It's crucial to maintain an appropriate tone when employing this phrase, reflecting the solemn nature of the setting. When writing, consider using the phrase to set the scene, and be mindful of the context to avoid any unintended insensitivity. Alternative phrases like "during the wake" or "at the visitation" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attending a wake

Focuses on the action of going to the wake.

present at a wake

Emphasizes physical presence at the event.

during the wake

Indicates something happening in the course of the wake.

at the visitation

Uses a more formal term for a wake, common in obituaries.

at the memorial gathering

Replaces "wake" with a more general term for remembrance.

at the funeral viewing

Highlights the aspect of viewing the deceased at the wake.

at the celebration of life

Emphasizes a positive and commemorative aspect of the gathering.

in attendance at the wake

Formal way of saying "at a wake".

at the vigil

Highlights the vigil aspect, often used interchangeably with wake.

paying respects

Focuses on the act of honoring the deceased, which is a primary purpose of attending a wake.

FAQs

How can I use "at a wake" in a sentence?

You can use "at a wake" to describe actions or events that occur during a gathering to honor someone who has died. For instance, "I saw many old friends "at a wake" for our former teacher".

What's a more formal way to say "at a wake"?

More formal alternatives include "at the visitation" or "at the memorial gathering", which may be suitable in obituaries or official announcements.

Which is correct, "at a wake" or "during a wake"?

Both ""at a wake"" and "during a wake" are correct and commonly used. "At a wake" refers to the location or event, while "during a wake" refers to the time period when the wake is happening.

What is the purpose of attending something described as being "at a wake"?

Attending an event ""at a wake"" serves as a means of offering support to bereaved family members and paying respects to the deceased. It is a communal act of mourning and remembrance.