at brunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at brunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or activity that takes place during the brunch meal, typically served between breakfast and lunch. Example: "We had a delightful conversation at brunch about our travel plans for the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

At brunch have the pancakes.

The New York Times

Try the lobster Benedict ($17) at brunch.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Stehling invents, too, notably at brunch.

The New York Times - Food

Can you have pasta at brunch?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not over giant omelets and coffee at brunch.

The New York Times

Generally speaking, I almost never have a cocktail at brunch.

The New York Times

Recommended dishes -- Dim sum at brunch on weekends.

The New York Times

About a dozen bloody mary varieties at brunch.

The New York Times - Food

Drinking at brunch is nothing new, of course.

The New York Times - Food

"There's nothing so close where it's a re-enactment," Coop said at brunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every conversation the friends had, at brunch or out shopping, amounted to a "Crossfire -like debate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at brunch", ensure the context clearly indicates an activity or event occurring during the brunch mealtime. For example, "We discussed the project at brunch" is more effective than "We discussed the project".

Common error

Avoid using "at brunch" to refer to events that occur immediately before or after the brunch meal itself. Stick to actions that happen during the dining period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at brunch" functions primarily as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the time or circumstance in which an action occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, demonstrating its role in setting the scene or providing context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at brunch" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate when an event occurs during the brunch mealtime. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used in news and media contexts, serving to provide a temporal reference point. While its register is generally neutral, context dictates its appropriateness. Alternatives like "during brunch" or "over brunch" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, focus on actions genuinely taking place during brunch to ensure clarity and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during brunch

Replaces the preposition "at" with "during", focusing on the time period of the brunch.

over brunch

Indicates the activity happened while the meal was consumed.

while having brunch

Emphasizes the act of eating brunch as the context for the related activity.

at a brunch gathering

Specifies that the brunch is a social event or gathering.

at the brunch

More specific, suggesting a particular brunch event.

during a brunch meeting

Highlights that brunch is being used as setting for a meeting.

at Sunday brunch

Adds the specific day, common with weekend brunch schedules.

while brunching

Uses the verb form of brunch to describe the activity.

over a brunch spread

Focuses on the food and drinks served at brunch.

at a midday meal

A more general way of referring to brunch.

FAQs

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

Use "at brunch" to specify when an event or activity occurred during the brunch mealtime. For example, "We finalized the agreement "at brunch"".

What can I say instead of "at brunch"?

Alternatives include "during brunch", "over brunch", or "while having brunch", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "We chatted "during brunch"".

Is it more formal to say "during brunch" instead of "at brunch"?

The phrases "at brunch" and "during brunch" are generally interchangeable and carry the same level of formality. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or sentence flow.

Can "at brunch" refer to the location or just the time?

"At brunch" primarily refers to the time period when brunch is taking place, although it implicitly suggests the location where the brunch is being held. However, "at the brunch venue" would be more precise if you want to emphasize location.