at breakfast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at breakfast" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific meal eaten at the start of the day. For example: "I always eat oatmeal at breakfast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At breakfast".

The New York Times

Drink Champagne at breakfast.

The New York Times

"You didn't come at breakfast".

The New Yorker

That's at breakfast.

The Guardian

At breakfast, Capt.

The New York Times

Apart from at breakfast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They meet at breakfast.

The Guardian

Felt lousy at breakfast.

The New Yorker

"I felt terrible at breakfast," he said.

Independent

Reporter observed the Pistons at breakfast.

The New Yorker

At Breakfast on Sunday morning, they reminisce.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at breakfast" to specify the time or context of an action or event that happens during the breakfast meal.

Common error

Avoid using "in breakfast" instead of "at breakfast". The correct preposition to indicate the time of a meal is "at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at breakfast" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating when an action takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at breakfast" is a grammatically correct and highly frequent prepositional phrase used to indicate the timing of an event or action during the morning meal. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is acceptable. Its neutral register and common occurrence in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, make it versatile for both informal and professional communication. Remember to avoid the common error of using "in breakfast" instead. Using alternatives like "during breakfast" or "over breakfast" can add nuance, but "at breakfast" remains a clear and effective choice for specifying when something happens.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during breakfast

Replaces the preposition "at" with "during", emphasizing the time period when breakfast occurs.

while having breakfast

Uses a more verbose construction, highlighting the action of eating breakfast.

over breakfast

Suggests a more relaxed and conversational setting during breakfast.

during the morning meal

Emphasizes the meal itself, using a more formal tone.

in the breakfast hour

Focuses on the specific time of day when breakfast is typically eaten.

when eating breakfast

Highlights the activity of consuming breakfast.

with breakfast

Indicates accompaniment or association with the breakfast meal.

at the breakfast table

Specifies the location where breakfast is eaten.

during the first meal of the day

A more descriptive and formal way of referring to breakfast.

over the morning repast

Uses archaic language to refer to breakfast, creating a more formal and old-fashioned tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "at breakfast" to indicate when something occurs, such as "I read the newspaper "at breakfast"" or "We discussed our plans "at breakfast"."

What is a synonym for "at breakfast"?

Alternatives to "at breakfast" include phrases like "during breakfast", "while having breakfast", or "over breakfast", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in breakfast"?

No, the correct preposition to use when referring to the time of a meal is "at". Therefore, ""at breakfast"" is correct, while "in breakfast" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "at breakfast" and "during breakfast"?

While both ""at breakfast"" and ""during breakfast"" are similar, "at breakfast" often implies a specific point in time or a general context, whereas "during breakfast" emphasizes the activity or duration of the meal itself.