at dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"at dinner" can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a location in which an event is taking place. For example: "We discussed the upcoming project at dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At dinner.

The New Yorker

— At dinner, 4 oz.

The New Yorker

Maybe at dinner?

The New Yorker

We got introduced at dinner.

The New York Times

Quotes from speeches at dinner.

The New Yorker

At dinner their first night.

The New Yorker

"I'm claiming eggs at dinner.

The New Yorker

At dinner they played footsies.

The New Yorker

He abused people at dinner parties.

The New Yorker

There are no computers at dinner.

The New York Times

At dinner, he asked for more.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at dinner" to specify when an event or conversation took place. For instance, "We discussed the project "at dinner"" is clearer than "We discussed the project later."

Common error

Avoid using "in dinner" or "on dinner". The correct preposition to indicate the time and place of an event is "at". For example, always say "I will see you "at dinner"", not "I will see you in dinner."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at dinner" functions as an adverbial phrase of time and place, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when and where an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in providing context to events, as shown in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at dinner" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify the time and location of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial phrase, providing context in both formal and informal settings. While alternatives like "during dinner" or "over dinner" exist, "at dinner" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. This phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in more casual contexts. Remember to use "at dinner", not "in dinner" when specifying the temporal context of events during the evening meal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during dinner

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, focusing on the period while dinner is happening.

over dinner

Suggests a more relaxed and conversational setting, implying discussions or activities happening throughout the meal.

while dining

More formal and emphasizes the act of eating.

during the meal

More general and refers to any point within the duration of the meal.

at the dinner table

Specifies the physical location where the dinner is taking place.

at supper

Uses an alternative term for dinner, suggesting a potentially lighter or less formal meal.

at the evening meal

More descriptive, explicitly stating the time of day when the meal occurs.

while having dinner

Emphasizes the action of eating dinner.

during dinnertime

Highlights the specific time designated for dinner.

at a dinner party

Specifies a social event centered around a formal dinner.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at dinner"?

You can use alternative phrases like "during dinner", "over dinner", or "while dining" to express the same idea.

Is it correct to say "in dinner" instead of "at dinner"?

No, "in dinner" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use is "at", so you should always say "at dinner".

What does "at dinner" imply?

"At dinner" generally implies that an event or action occurred during the time when people were eating their evening meal. It specifies the temporal context of the event.

Can I use "at supper" instead of "at dinner"?

Yes, you can use "at supper" as an alternative to "at dinner", although "dinner" is more commonly used. "Supper" might suggest a lighter or less formal meal.