before dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"before dinner" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the time or event before a meal is eaten. Example: We went for a walk before dinner and enjoyed the beautiful sunset.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And before dinner.

The New York Times - Arts

Before dinner, after dinner.

The New York Times

Before dinner?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Before dinner, we had cocktails.

The New Yorker

Friday, before dinner.

The New York Times - Magazine

Before dinner, we had catnip tea.

The New Yorker

Just before Dinner, Dove came back in.

The New Yorker

Just before dinner, Gore checked his Treo.

The New Yorker

"Not before dinner," Albert answers.

The New York Times

questioned an hour before dinner.

The New York Times - Health

(Before dinner, visit the museum's spectacular collection).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before dinner" to clearly indicate an event or action that occurs in the period leading up to the evening meal. It's a versatile phrase suitable for most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using excessively vague alternatives like "earlier" if the context specifically refers to the period leading up to dinner. "Before dinner" provides a more precise timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before dinner" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the timing of an action in relation to the evening meal. As shown by Ludwig, it specifies when something occurs in the sequence of daily events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before dinner" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the period leading up to the evening meal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to establish temporal relationships and provide context. While alternatives like "prior to dinner" exist, "before dinner" remains a versatile and frequently used option for most situations. Remember to use it to create temporal references that aren't vague, and be aware of the formal or informal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pre-dinner

Shortened, slightly more casual version.

prior to dinner

More formal alternative using "prior to" instead of "before".

in advance of dinner

Similar to "prior to dinner" but emphasizes making preparations.

ahead of dinner

Emphasizes anticipation or preparation for the meal.

preceding the dinner

A more formal and passive construction.

leading up to dinner

Focuses on the period immediately preceding the meal.

in anticipation of dinner

Highlights the expectation or excitement surrounding the upcoming meal.

in the time before dinner

More verbose alternative.

during the pre-dinner period

Focuses on the specific time frame before the meal.

earlier in the evening

Broader term that includes the time "before dinner".

FAQs

How can I use "before dinner" in a sentence?

The phrase "before dinner" is used to indicate the time or events that occur prior to the evening meal. For example, "We went for a walk before dinner". It can modify verbs, nouns or even entire clauses.

What are some alternatives to saying "before dinner"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "prior to dinner", "ahead of dinner", or "leading up to dinner".

Is "before dinner" formal or informal?

"Before dinner" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "prior to dinner" are slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "before dinner" and "after dinner"?

"Before dinner" refers to the period or events preceding the evening meal, while "after dinner" refers to the period or events following the meal. For example, "We had cocktails before dinner and dessert after dinner".