by dinnertime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by dinnertime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific time frame, suggesting that something should happen or be completed before dinner. Example: "Please make sure to finish your homework by dinnertime so we can enjoy our meal together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BY dinnertime, we were ready for more refined amusement, or at least a good dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

By dinnertime, Hannah was all worked up.

The New Yorker

The program began producing numbers by dinnertime.

The New York Times

What happens when your evidence vanishes by dinnertime?

The New Yorker

If I begin tonight they'll be ready by dinnertime tomorrow.

The New York Times

Usually I'm adventurous, but by dinnertime I'm ready to settle down.

The New York Times

The gin you received as a gift last December will probably be consumed by dinnertime.

The New York Times - Food

Leaves are turning, it gets dark by dinnertime and hockey season is starting.

The New York Times

"In the summer, we're usually tired by dinnertime," said one lagoon rower.

The New York Times - Travel

Thanks to our intervention, by dinnertime both mother and son had been admitted to a hospital.

The New York Times - Health

By dinnertime, the floor is mopped and the kitchen is clean.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by dinnertime" when you want to specify that something needs to be completed or available before or around the time dinner is typically eaten. It implies a deadline related to the evening meal.

Common error

Avoid using "by dinnertime" if you mean something should happen during the actual dinner hour. Instead, use "at dinnertime" or "during dinner."

Linguistic Context

"By dinnertime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify a time frame. It sets a temporal boundary, indicating that an action or state should be completed or achieved before dinner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by dinnertime" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote a deadline or a point in time before or around the evening meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English to indicate a specific timeframe. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in travel and academic writing. While simple alternatives like "before dinner" exist, "by dinnertime" provides a clear and familiar way to set expectations for task completion. Remember to avoid using it when referring to the actual time during dinner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before dinner

Replaces "by dinnertime" with a simpler and more direct expression of the same timeframe.

Come dinnertime

Focuses on the arrival of dinnertime as a point in time.

By the time dinner is served

More descriptive and emphasizes the act of dinner being served as the deadline.

No later than dinner

Emphasizes the deadline aspect of "by dinnertime".

In advance of dinner

Similar to "before dinner" but with a slightly more formal tone.

By evening

Slightly broader timeframe than "by dinnertime".

Prior to the evening meal

More formal and less common alternative.

Ahead of supper

Uses "supper" as a synonym for dinner.

Before the evening

Broader timeframe, encompassing more time than just before dinner.

Before it gets dark

Relates the timing to the setting of the sun.

FAQs

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

You can use "by dinnertime" to indicate a deadline or a point in time before or around dinner. For example, "Please finish your homework "by dinnertime" so we can eat together."

What's a simple alternative to "by dinnertime"?

A simple alternative is "before dinner". It conveys the same meaning in a more straightforward way.

Is it correct to say "at dinnertime" instead of "by dinnertime"?

While both are correct, they have slightly different meanings. "At dinnertime" refers to something happening during the dinner hour, while "by dinnertime" means something happening before or around dinner.

What can I say instead of "by dinnertime" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "prior to the evening meal" or "in advance of dinner".