by suppertime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by suppertime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific time in the evening when supper is typically served, often implying a deadline or expectation. Example: "I need to finish this report by suppertime so I can enjoy dinner with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

By suppertime.

The New Yorker

I'll be home by suppertime.

The New York Times

Papa would have to come by suppertime.

The New Yorker

I could be ringing the doorbell at my father's house by suppertime today.

The Guardian - Books

When he was six, his mother began encouraging him to get out of the house, telling him to be home by suppertime.

The New Yorker

Miraculously, by suppertime Elizabeth's ear seemed all better, leading us to believe our daughter was either the next Meryl Streep or a witch.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When telephoned by a suppertime salesperson, it can take too long to engage in banter.

Forbes

You can be sure that all these companies paid handsomely for the privilege of such lampooning, which even extends to the movie's single funniest joke, a suppertime blessing brought to you by PowerAde.

The New York Times

During the day, the laptop crowd can enjoy a wireless Internet connection, and later, parents can stop by with their children and leave with a suppertime dish for home.

The New York Times

Newspapers are practically designed to self-destruct after a single reading – if you've ever picked up a daily paper in a cafe around suppertime after it's been handled by a day's worth of patrons, you know that this is a *personal* tech, and that after a pass-along or two, it starts to look like it's been to the wars.

The Guardian - Tech

Simply track them down by GPS or call them up to say its suppertime.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by suppertime" to set a casual, yet firm, deadline related to the evening meal. It implies a reasonable expectation of completion.

Common error

While "by suppertime" is understandable, be mindful that it might sound slightly old-fashioned in some contexts. Consider if "by dinnertime" or "before dinner" would be more appropriate for a modern audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by suppertime" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a deadline or timeframe related to the evening meal. Ludwig's examples show it's often used to indicate when something needs to be completed.

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 suppertime" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating a deadline related to the evening meal, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and found in various contexts, mostly in news and media, alternative phrases like "by dinnertime" or "before dinner" might be more suitable for modern usage. Ludwig AI analysis validates its correct usage and provides context through real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by dinnertime

Direct synonym, replacing "supper" with "dinner".

no later than supper

Emphasizes the deadline aspect.

before dinner

Focuses on the meal rather than a specific time.

by the time supper is served

Explicitly links the action to the serving of supper.

before the evening meal

More formal and descriptive alternative.

by evening

Broader timeframe, encompassing the entire evening period.

upon supper

A more archaic and less common way to express the timing.

by the close of day

Poetic and less specific to the meal time.

before the sun sets

Emphasizes the deadline aspect with visual metaphor.

by the end of the working day

Related to the end of the workday, which can be correlated with suppertime.

FAQs

What does "by suppertime" mean?

The phrase "by suppertime" means before the time when supper is typically served in the evening. It indicates a deadline or a target time for completing something before dinner.

What's a more modern alternative to "by suppertime"?

More modern alternatives to "by suppertime" include "by dinnertime" or "before dinner", which are more commonly used in contemporary English.

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

You can use "by suppertime" to indicate a timeframe. For example, "I need to finish this report by suppertime so I can relax and enjoy my evening."

Is "by suppertime" formal or informal?

"By suppertime" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "before the evening meal" or specifying a precise time.