by supper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by supper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a deadline or a time frame by which something should be completed, specifically referring to the evening meal. Example: "Please make sure to finish your homework by supper so we can enjoy the evening together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He'll be better by supper.

The New York Times

You could be well at dinner and dead by supper.

The Guardian

By supper the next day, he knew everybody and talked to each one at some length.

The New Yorker

"More have been slain by supper than the sword," as the talent scout Tom Konchalski notes.

The New York Times - Sports

What there is to see in New York today is a cabaret scene dominated by supper clubs, endlessly serving up yesterday's music to deep-pocketed sophisticates.

The New York Times - Arts

I leave at 5pm, collect the children from after-school club followed by supper, homework and the kids' bedtime at 8.30pm.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Their reputation of direct marketers has been damaged by supper-time interruptions by telemarketers and the notion that direct-mail is "junk".

The Economist

2. The Emmy Armchair, by Rick Shaver for Shaver/Melahn Studios, was inspired by supper-club chairs of the 1930's and 40's.

The New York Times

It also said: "An afternoon wedding, followed by posh supper for 12".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm writing this fuelled by a supper of courgettes, tomatoes and runner beans from the farm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first attempt, involving thallium-laced chicken, goes wrong when his friend Donald comes by for supper unexpectedly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by supper", consider your audience and the context. It's most appropriate in settings where "supper" is a commonly understood term for the evening meal. In more formal or international contexts, "by dinner" or "by evening" may be clearer.

Common error

Avoid using "by supper" if your audience is unlikely to understand what "supper" refers to. In some regions, "supper" refers to a late-night snack rather than the main evening meal. Using "by dinner" or "by the end of the day" eliminates potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by supper" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time constraint or deadline. It specifies that an action should be completed before or by the time the evening meal (supper) is consumed. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which deems the phrase grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by supper" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a deadline occurring before the evening meal. While deemed correct and usable by Ludwig, it's essential to consider your audience, as "supper" may not be universally understood. Alternatives like "by dinner" or "by evening" might be clearer in more formal or international contexts. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral register suitable for general communication. Remember to set clear expectations and avoid potential confusion by choosing the most appropriate term for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before supper

Replaces "by" with "before", focusing on the action happening prior to the meal.

by dinnertime

Substitutes "supper" with "dinnertime", using a more common synonym.

by evening

Broadens the timeframe from a specific meal to the general evening period.

by the evening meal

Replaces "supper" with a more descriptive and formal term.

before the evening

Focuses on completing something before the arrival of the evening.

no later than supper

Adds emphasis on the deadline not being able to pass supper time.

at the latest, by supper

Combines a general deadline phrase with the specific time of supper.

in time for supper

Implies completing something so it can be enjoyed during or alongside supper.

by the time supper rolls around

Uses a more casual and descriptive way to refer to supper time.

before the supper hour

Uses a more formal and descriptive way to refer to supper time.

FAQs

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

You can use "by supper" to indicate a deadline or a timeframe for completing a task, such as: "Please finish cleaning your room "by supper"." It indicates that the task needs to be completed before the evening meal.

What's a synonym for "by supper"?

A common synonym for "by supper" is "by dinnertime". Other alternatives include "before dinner" or "by evening", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "by dinner" or "by supper"?

"By dinner" is generally considered more formal and widely understood than "by supper". "Supper" can have regional variations in meaning, sometimes referring to a lighter, later meal, while "dinner" typically indicates the main evening meal.

When is it appropriate to use "by supper"?

It's appropriate to use "by supper" in contexts where "supper" is commonly understood to mean the evening meal. This is more common in certain regions or within families that use the term regularly. In formal settings, use "by dinner" or "by evening" for broader understanding.