dinner was finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dinner was finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the meal has been completed, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "After a long day, I was relieved to see that dinner was finished, and we could finally relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When dinner was finished, she ordered dessert and abruptly switched seats.

The New York Times - Style

When dinner was finished, we walked west, heading for assorted subway lines, but once we crossed Sixth Avenue we found ourselves carried along by a stream of people moving into Times Square.

The New Yorker

Following his old rule, he waited until dinner was finished before pouring his first, so that he could have a decent amount in a short span of time without causing a sodden evening.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the Pine Haven retirement center in the author's familiar, fictional Fulton, N.C., dinner is finished early, which is fine with sunny Sadie, "who likes to watch 'Jeopardy' in her pajamas".

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, a line that for Mr. Bailey best captured this paradox came from the story "The Country Husband" as it describes Shady Hill after the 7 14 has come and gone and dinner is finished.

The New York Times

Dinner is finished by 6 and guests are in bed by 8, all in the name of wellness.

Forbes

I can travel, go to dinner parties and parties that end long after dinner is finished.

Huffington Post

Heller's advice: "Once dinner is finished, the kitchen should be closed.

Huffington Post

The event should have a definite end point, whether it's as soon as dinner is finished or after you've played a round of a game.

WikiHow

He usually drank two or three quarts of beer with his dinner and by the time he was finished he was drunk and mad about something and he would curl a fist and hit whichever son was nearest or he called over his wife and knocked her in the nose or the eye.

Huffington Post

The silent cook's role is analogous to that of a professional chef who slyly prepares food to a half-cooked state — steaks pre-seared to rare, risottos parboiled and then chilled — so dinners can be finished quickly, at a moment's notice, with as little work as possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dinner was finished" in narrative contexts where you want to emphasize the completion of the meal as a precursor to subsequent events. For example, "Dinner was finished, and the guests moved to the living room for dessert."

Common error

Avoid using "dinner was finished" in highly formal or business settings. Opt for alternatives like "the dinner concluded" or "the meal was completed" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dinner was finished" acts as a statement of completion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating it serves to inform that the act of having dinner has reached its end. This completion often serves as a transition point in a narrative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dinner was finished" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate that a meal has been completed. Although Ludwig AI assesses it as correct, it's relatively infrequent in usage. It typically serves as a statement of completion, setting the stage for what follows the meal. While suitable for a range of contexts, from news reporting to personal narratives, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "the meal concluded". Overall, while correct, consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing "dinner was finished" or a similar expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dinner had ended

Focuses on the termination of the dinner event.

dinner was over

A more straightforward way to state that dinner has concluded.

the meal was completed

Emphasizes the action of finishing the meal rather than the dinner event itself.

the dinner concluded

A more formal way of saying dinner ended.

the eating was done

Highlights the act of eating being completed.

we had finished dinner

Shifts the focus to the people completing the meal.

after dinner

Implies completion by referencing the time following the meal.

dinner came to an end

A more descriptive and emphatic way to convey the end of dinner.

the dinner service ended

Focuses on the ending of service or hosting.

dinner wrapped up

An informal way of saying dinner was completed.

FAQs

How can I use "dinner was finished" in a sentence?

You can use "dinner was finished" to indicate the completion of the meal, often setting the stage for subsequent activities. For example, "Dinner was finished, and we began to clear the table."

What's a more formal way to say "dinner was finished"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the dinner concluded" or "the meal was completed".

Is there a difference between "dinner was finished" and "dinner was over"?

While both convey the same general meaning, "dinner was over" is more direct and informal. "Dinner was finished" often implies a transition to another activity or state.

What are some alternatives to "dinner was finished"?

Alternatives include "dinner had ended", "we had finished dinner", or simply "after dinner", depending on the desired emphasis and context.