by lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

"by lunch" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express a time frame for something to happen. For example, "We should be finished with the project by lunch".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Over by lunch tomorrow".

The Guardian - Sport

A wine tasting is followed by lunch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Americans were gone by lunch.

The New York Times - Sports

WE don't do right by lunch.

The New York Times - Food

Wenesday at noon, followed by lunch.

The New York Times

The class will be followed by lunch with wine.

The New York Times - Food

Wednesday, 12 15 to 12 45, followed by lunch.

The New York Times

By lunch, both had half-centuries to their name.

The Guardian - Sport

Wednesday, 12 15 to 12 45 p.m., followed by lunch.

The New York Times

All over by lunch on Monday?" No chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

12.15pm: Barr begins a lunch-by-lunch analysis of Penrose's relationship with senior police officers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by lunch" to set a realistic expectation for task completion. It implies a reasonable timeframe without being overly specific, allowing flexibility.

Common error

Avoid using "by lunch" when the task realistically requires more time. Misusing it can lead to unmet expectations and perceived unreliability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by lunch" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a deadline or timeframe for an action or event. Ludwig AI indicates it's a common and grammatically correct construction, setting a temporal boundary. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sports

18%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

Vice

4%

Wiki

3%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by lunch" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a timeframe ending around lunchtime. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, sports reporting, and general communication. While suitable for neutral and informal settings, more formal contexts might benefit from more precise alternatives. The phrase effectively communicates an expected completion time, allowing for flexibility while setting a clear deadline. Common usage includes specifying when a task should be finished or when an event is expected to occur.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before lunchtime

Indicates a point in time prior to the start of lunch, narrowing the timeframe.

by noon

Refers to a specific time, 12:00 PM, providing a precise deadline.

around lunchtime

Specifies a less precise time, suggesting the event will happen close to when lunch typically occurs.

prior to midday

Similar to "before lunchtime" but using more formal language.

before the midday meal

A more descriptive and slightly formal way of saying before lunch.

by the middle of the day

Indicates that something will be completed by the central part of the day.

no later than lunch

Emphasizes the latest acceptable time for something to happen.

by the time lunch arrives

Emphasizes the approaching time of lunch as the deadline.

by the start of lunch

Focuses on the precise moment lunch begins as the cutoff.

before the lunch hour

Refers to the period typically allotted for lunch.

FAQs

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

You can use "by lunch" to indicate a deadline or expected time of completion, such as "The report needs to be finished "by lunch"."

What are some alternatives to saying "by lunch"?

Alternatives include "before lunchtime", "by noon", or "around lunchtime" depending on the level of precision needed.

Is it appropriate to use "by lunch" in formal writing?

While "by lunch" is widely understood, it's more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "prior to midday".

What does "by lunch" imply about the timing of an event?

"By lunch" generally implies that something will be completed or will happen before or around the time that people typically have lunch, which is usually between noon and 2 PM.