by dinners

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by dinners" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that occurs during or as a result of dinners, but without additional context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "The discussions by dinners often lead to important decisions being made."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There were double-breakfast mornings followed by quadruple-lunch afternoons, followed by dinners and more dinners still.

The New York Times - Sports

Drinks and the exhibition at 6 will be followed by dinners at 8 30 in the homes of supporters of the Family Center.

The New York Times

Between December and February, the vineyards and distillers of Poitou-Charentes throw open their gates to visitors for free visits and tastings, often accompanied by dinners or live music in the cellars, while local restaurants devise complimentary menus (cognacetapes.com).

The Guardian - Travel

Emanuel's wife and three children are still back in Chicago (they arrive in Washington later this month), and his social calendar is taken up by dinners with former House colleagues on both sides of the aisle, often at one of the trendy downtown restaurants he favors.

The New York Times - Magazine

The absence of a goal — the whole-body, life-sucking, punctilious effort to get to and finish the Tour — was something not easily filled by dinners around the kitchen table, yardwork, paperwork, driving the car, whatever the domestic rhythms of another man's life might be.

The New York Times - Sports

James J. Yee, the Muslim chaplain at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, was partly brought on by dinners with a translator who was arrested on suspicion of trying to pass secrets to foreign governments, a charge that has since been dropped. 1 Mars Spacecraft Touches Down An American spacecraft, the robotic roving vehicle called Spirit, touched down on Mars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Opening followed by dinner.

The New York Times

Back by dinner".

The New York Times

Monday from 7 p.m., followed by dinner.

The New York Times

The evening became more sombre by dinner.

The New Yorker

The party was followed by dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "by dinners", opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "during dinners" or "at dinners" to express the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "by" to indicate time or location related to meals. "By" typically refers to agency or proximity, not temporal or spatial context. Use "at", "during", or "over" instead to clearly convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by dinners" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to modify a verb or noun by indicating a relationship, most likely of time or location, to the act of having dinners. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is not grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by dinners" is grammatically questionable and should be avoided in formal writing. While it appears in some news and media contexts, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's better to use alternatives like "during dinners" or "at dinners" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The intended purpose is to specify the context or timing related to dinners, but the incorrect structure undermines its effectiveness. Therefore, opting for more standard prepositional phrases is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

During dinners

Replaces the preposition "by" with "during" to indicate an action or event happening concurrently with dinners.

At dinners

Uses "at" to specify a location or setting where actions or events occur related to dinners.

With dinners

Indicates accompaniment or association with dinners.

Over dinner

Suggests a discussion or event taking place while having dinner.

Around the dinner table

Focuses on the location and atmosphere of the dinner setting.

Through dinners

Implies experiencing something across multiple dinner occasions.

In relation to dinners

Indicates a connection or relevance to the topic of dinners.

Regarding dinners

Introduces dinners as the subject of discussion.

Concerning dinners

Similar to 'regarding dinners', indicating dinners as the topic.

In connection with dinners

Highlights an association or link to dinners.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "by dinners"?

Alternatives include "during dinners", "at dinners", or "over dinner", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use the phrase "by dinners"?

No, the phrase "by dinners" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use prepositions like "at" or "during" to indicate the time or location related to dinners.

How can I use "at dinners" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "at dinners" to specify a location or setting where something happens. For example, "Important discussions often take place at dinners".

What is the difference between "by dinner" and "by dinners"?

"By dinner" means "before dinner" or "in time for dinner", indicating a deadline or a point in time. "By dinners", while less common and grammatically questionable, might be intended to refer to something that occurs during or is associated with multiple dinner events. However, it's better to use a different preposition such as "during dinners".