come to dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"come to dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to invite someone to dinner, for example, "Please come to dinner tomorrow night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Come to dinner".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Come to dinner," says Christian.

The Guardian - Books

Could he come to dinner?

The New Yorker

That night, some friends come to dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Come to dinner with us!" Sheen cries.

The Guardian

"Why don't you come to dinner?" Zora phoned one afternoon.

The New Yorker

We agreed to come to dinner the following night.

The New York Times

Would she like to come to dinner with him instead?

The Guardian

Twice a week, established entrepreneurs come to dinner, give an informal talk and take questions.

The New York Times

Parking is a problem: when friends come to dinner, he has to help them find spots.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you invite her to dinner, she comes to dinner.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come to dinner", consider the context and audience to determine the appropriate level of formality. While generally acceptable in most situations, more formal invitations might use phrases like "dine with us".

Common error

Avoid using "come to dinner" in extremely formal settings where more refined language might be expected. Opt for alternatives like "attend a dinner" or "be our guest for dinner" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to dinner" functions primarily as an imperative, used to extend an invitation. As supported by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It prompts action, encouraging the listener or reader to accept the invitation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come to dinner" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for inviting someone to share a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use, though the level of formality should be considered depending on the context. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic settings, the phrase effectively serves its purpose of extending an invitation for social dining. Remember to consider the alternatives and level of formality to ensure the most appropriate usage in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

join us for dinner

Focuses on the act of joining, implying a sense of inclusion.

have dinner with us

A straightforward and common way to propose sharing a meal.

you're invited to dinner

A formal way to express an invitation.

dine with us

A more formal way to invite someone to dinner, emphasizing the act of dining.

let's have dinner together

Suggests a mutual agreement to share a meal.

share a meal with us

Emphasizes the sharing aspect of the dinner experience.

be our dinner guest

Highlights the role of the invitee as a guest at the dinner.

join us at the dinner table

Focuses on the location and setting of the dinner.

attend our dinner party

Implies a more elaborate and social dinner event.

break bread with us

A more figurative and traditional way to invite someone to dinner, suggesting companionship.

FAQs

How do I use "come to dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "come to dinner" to directly invite someone to share a meal, such as in the sentence, "Would you like to "come to dinner" with us this Friday?"

What are some alternatives to "come to dinner"?

Alternatives include "join us for dinner", "have dinner with us", or "dine with us", depending on the context and formality of the invitation.

Is "come to dinner" too informal for a business setting?

While generally acceptable, in more formal business settings, consider using phrases like "We would be honored if you would "attend a dinner" with us" to convey a higher degree of respect and formality.

What's the difference between "come to dinner" and "attend a dinner"?

"Come to dinner" is a more direct and casual invitation, while ""attend a dinner"" implies a more formal event or gathering. The choice depends on the relationship with the person being invited and the nature of the occasion.