by meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by meal" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to meals, but without additional context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "The cost of the event is calculated by meal, so please let us know how many meals you will need."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Organized by meal and diet type, Foodbury stocks products that Ms. Kothari has found in both India and overseas.

The New York Times

"The quality of food has really deteriorated meal by meal," said one employee, a 24-year-old software designer.

The New York Times

As you can imagine, we were surviving on minimal and basic rations, and quite hungry by meal times.

The Guardian - Travel

Grubwithus helps the restaurant coordinate the menu for the group for the night and then charges a service fee to the restaurant; the amount varies by meal.

The New York Times - Tech

"And he gave me this very structured diet, day by day, meal by meal, even down to the snacks I could eat.

The New York Times

Mr. Coats said on Thursday that he relished the idea of trekking out to Governors Island and testing his stamina with the marathon performance (which will be broken up by meal and bathroom breaks).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Instead of directing people to a meal-by-meal regimen that's "a lot to remember, hard to follow," Mr. Kaminsky offers an approach that factors in our impulsive desire for the delectable.

The New York Times - Food

Eventually, Clinton fired chef Pierre Chambrin, known for his butter-laden French fare, and hired Walter Scheib, who specialized in lower-fat food — and would agree to provide meal-by-meal calorie counts.

Independent

The "By-Meal" screener is similar, except that it asks about 2 of those 9 food items in terms of mealtime.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

If you've ever carefully planned a meal-by-meal tour of Barcelona, you know what we're talking about.

Huffington Post

No significant differences were found in these parameters between the two meals, and the time-by-meal interaction was not significant (data not shown).

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider replacing "by meal" with phrases like "per meal" or "with each meal" to enhance precision and readability, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by meal" when a more specific term, like "per meal", is available, especially when discussing costs or portions. Ambiguity can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by meal" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates a specification or calculation performed in relation to each individual meal. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by meal" is commonly used, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically questionable. It functions as a prepositional phrase to specify actions or calculations related to individual meals. It's most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts, carrying a neutral register. Alternatives such as "per meal" or "with each meal" often provide greater clarity and precision, especially in formal writing. While acceptable in some contexts, consider if a more precise term would be more appropriate to eliminate ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

per meal

Replaces "by meal" with a direct indication of cost or quantity for each individual meal.

with each meal

Emphasizes the action or component accompanying every meal.

at each meal

Focuses on the specific timing of an action occurring during meal times.

for each meal

Highlights the purpose or provision associated with every meal.

meal by meal

Indicates a gradual or sequential process, happening across multiple meals.

based on the meal

Highlights decisions or distinctions influenced by meal specifics

depending on the meal

Signifies variability linked to different meals

according to the meal

Indicates actions are dictated by specific meals.

relative to meal times

Suggests measurements or adjustments tied to meal schedules.

in relation to meal

Highlights relationships or impact of something related to the meal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by meal" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives like "per meal", "with each meal", or "at each meal" depending on the context to improve clarity and precision. The best alternative depends on the intended meaning.

Is "by meal" grammatically correct?

While often used, "by meal" can sound awkward. More specific alternatives like "per meal" or "with each meal" are typically preferred for formal writing to ensure clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "by meal"?

"By meal" is acceptable in contexts where the meaning is clear from the surrounding text, such as when describing costs or nutritional intake. However, always consider if a more precise alternative would improve understanding.

What's the difference between "by meal" and "meal by meal"?

"By meal" generally refers to something calculated or considered for each meal. "Meal by meal" implies a gradual process or sequential action occurring across multiple meals.