by dining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by dining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the means or method by which something is achieved, often in contexts related to eating or socializing. Example: "We can strengthen our relationship by dining together regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But we can fight back by dining out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Conditioned by dining on tapas and small plates elsewhere, I decided to make a meal of the appetizers.

The New York Times

You don't win over the likes of Jack Linsky, the founder of Swingline staplers, by dining at dumps.

The New York Times

One of the ways that Mr. Kirschbaum, 53, kept people together was by dining out about once a week.

The New York Times

Long a dominant presence in the city, students have tended to self-segregate by dining, drinking and partying in exclusive clubs called nations.

The New York Times - Travel

One was Steve Novak, who said he learned that Anthony was not eating in his normal fashion by dining with him.

The New York Times - Sports

In the more liberal city of Jeddah, on the Red Sea, unrelated friends of both sexes discreetly flout the law by dining together.

The Economist

Mourinho embraced the capital immediately and fully, defying Ron Manager stereotypes by dining at San Lorenzo and taking his young family to the zoo, the theatre, the galleries.

The Guardian

We've saved money using home rentals and by dining where students have recommended, including Den Den Café Asiana near Brown University in Providence, R. I

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Before Rain Man and Good Morning Vietnam, Levinson scored an Oscar nomination for Diner, which was based on his experiences of growing up in the 1950s, the salad days of drive-by dining.

BBC

And drive-by dining doesn't necessarily mean fast food.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by dining" to specifically highlight the act of eating as a deliberate means of achieving a particular social, cultural, or even political outcome. For example, "They supported local businesses by dining at family-owned restaurants."

Common error

Avoid using "by dining" when the act of eating is merely coincidental or incidental. It's important that the dining itself is the mechanism achieving the result, not just something that happens alongside it. For instance, prefer "They discussed the contract over dinner" to "They finalized the contract by dining" if the location was simply convenient, but did not facilitate the finalization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by dining" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating the means or method by which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI points out, it is generally considered grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by dining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is to indicate that the act of eating is the means to achieve something, frequently found in the context of news and media. To ensure accuracy in writing, use this phrase when eating is truly the mechanism, and not merely an accompanying activity. Alternatives like "through eating" or "over dinner" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through eating

Emphasizes the process of eating as the means of achieving something.

via meals

Highlights meals as the method of achieving something.

with food

Focuses on the presence of food as part of an event or interaction.

over dinner

Specifies a particular meal as the setting or context.

at the table

Highlights the location where eating takes place.

through gastronomy

Uses a more formal term, emphasizing culinary art as a means.

using culinary means

Focuses on food and cooking techniques as a way to achieve something.

through food consumption

Emphasizes the act of consuming food as the means.

by feasting

Suggests a large or celebratory meal as a means of achieving something.

through banquets

Implies formal, elaborate meals for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "by dining" in a sentence?

Use "by dining" to show that eating is a way to achieve something. For example, "You can support local businesses by dining at restaurants in your neighborhood."

What are some alternatives to saying "by dining"?

Alternatives include "through eating", "via meals", or "over dinner", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "by dining"?

Yes, "by dining" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates that an action is performed through the act of dining.

What's the difference between "by dining" and "while dining"?

"By dining" implies that the act of eating is instrumental to the outcome, whereas "while dining" simply indicates that something happened simultaneously with the act of eating. For example: "He gained important business insights "by dining" with industry leaders."