called for dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"called for dinner" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to indicate that it's time for everyone to come to the table to partake in a meal. For example, "Mom called for dinner, so everyone hurried to the dining room to enjoy their meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We declined, because the rules set by American Express called for dinner for two.

The New York Times

As we waited for our names to be called for dinner, the Welches filled me in on the details of that first trip.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Call for dinner reservations.

The New York Times

(I'm an admitted cell phone user in Olympic National Park, but I use it to call for dinner reservations).

The New York Times - Tech

Their plans call for dinners, brunches, sightseeing excursions and a hospitality suite, where people can grab food or drink whenever they want.

The New York Times - Style

We decided to investigate and called for a dinner reservation, only to discover that Three Fish had closed.

The New York Times

"This year was an embarrassment to everyone associated with it". President Donald Trump called for the White House Correspondents Associationn dinner to be put to "rest" after a controversial roast by comedian Michelle Wolf on Saturday night.

HuffPost

Morsi opponents, meanwhile, called for communal Iftar dinners -- during Ramadan, the first meal of the day, held immediately after sunset -- at Tahrir Square and outside the presidential palace.

Los Angeles Times

"His poor wife called him for dinner and found him gone.

The New Yorker

She loved the way it sounded when her father called her for dinner.

The New York Times - Books

While they sat, I pulled the corn from the pot, set the table and called everyone for dinner.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "called for dinner" when you want to convey a summons or announcement that it is time to eat. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "called for dinner" when you simply mean someone is eating dinner. The phrase implies an invitation or summons, not merely the act of dining.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called for dinner" functions as a verb phrase that typically indicates the act of summoning or inviting someone to partake in the evening meal. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts of family gatherings and mealtime routines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "called for dinner" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that it's time to eat the evening meal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it's important to use it when implying a summons or invitation, rather than simply stating that someone is eating. Alternatives include "dinner's ready" or the more formal "dinner is served". The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, showcasing its widespread use. Be mindful not to overuse it in place of simpler descriptions of dining.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dinner's ready

A more direct statement indicating that dinner is prepared and ready to be eaten.

time for dinner

Indicates the appropriate time for the meal.

announced dinner

Focuses on the act of announcing the availability of dinner, rather than the act of calling someone to it.

dinner is on

A casual way of saying dinner is starting.

summoned to dinner

Implies a formal or authoritative call to dinner.

dinner is served

A formal announcement, indicating readiness to start the meal.

meal is announced

Similar to "announced dinner" but more generic, referring to any meal.

invited for dinner

Focuses on the act of extending an invitation to someone to join a dinner.

beckoned to dinner

Suggests a non-verbal or gentle invitation to dinner.

alerted to dinner

Emphasizes the notification aspect of the dinner announcement.

FAQs

How can I use "called for dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "called for dinner" to indicate that someone is summoning others to eat, as in, "My mother "called us for dinner" when the meal was ready."

What's a more formal way to say "called for dinner"?

A more formal way to say "called for dinner" would be "dinner is served", implying that the meal is formally ready and waiting.

What's a more casual way to say "called for dinner"?

A more casual way to say "called for dinner" is "dinner's ready", which is a simple and direct announcement.

Is "called for dinner" only used for dinner, or can it be used for other meals?

While "called for dinner" specifically refers to the evening meal, you could adapt it for other meals, such as "called for lunch" or "called for breakfast", though these are less common.