at lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

"at lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific time of day, usually the midday meal. For example, "I'm meeting my brother at lunch to discuss plans for the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I ate six today at lunch.

The New York Times - Books

Ignore him at lunch.

The New York Times - Books

At lunch?

The Washington Post

Not at lunch, not anywhere.

The New York Times

Vintage wine at lunch: Expensed.

Independent

At lunch, he sat alone.

The New Yorker

Available at lunch only.

The Washington Post

At lunch it's $49.

The New York Times - Food

Play chess at lunch.

Harvard Business Review

Rove spoke at lunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

A. At lunch.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at lunch" to clearly indicate an event or action that takes place during the lunch period. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "at lunch" when referring to breakfast or dinner. "At lunch" specifies the midday meal, so ensure that the context is appropriate. For example, say "I'll see you at dinner" instead of "I'll see you at lunch" if the meeting is in the evening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at lunch" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurs. Examples from Ludwig show its use to specify the timing of events such as meetings, discussions, or activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

23%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at lunch" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify the timing of an event or action during the midday meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a range of contexts, from news reporting to academic writing. While primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase of time, it serves to provide temporal context and coordinate schedules. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalence in "News & Media" and "Wiki" sources. Remember to use it accurately to refer to the midday meal, and consider alternatives like "during lunchtime" or "over lunch" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during lunchtime

This alternative specifies the time period more explicitly than the original phrase.

over lunch

This phrase implies an activity happening while eating lunch.

at noon

This refers specifically to the time of day, which is a component of when lunch usually takes place.

during the lunch hour

Similar to "during lunchtime", this option is more explicit about the time.

while having lunch

This emphasizes the action of eating lunch while something else is occurring.

at the midday meal

This is a more formal way to refer to lunch.

during the midday break

This alternative is more general, referring to any midday break, not specifically lunch.

during the noon recess

This phrase is more common in an academic context, like at school.

at the cafeteria

This refers to the place where lunch is usually consumed, rather than the time.

during my lunch

This alternative personalizes the lunch period, making it specific to the speaker.

FAQs

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

You can use "at lunch" to describe when an event or activity takes place during the midday meal. For example, "I have a meeting "at lunch" with the manager."

What are some alternatives to saying "at lunch"?

Alternatives include phrases like "during lunchtime", "over lunch", or "during the lunch hour", depending on the specific context.

Is "at lunch" formal or informal?

"At lunch" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in very professional settings.

Can "at lunch" refer to a specific location?

While "at lunch" primarily refers to time, it can implicitly suggest a location, such as "at the cafeteria" or wherever lunch is typically eaten.