during breakfast

USAGE SUMMARY

"during breakfast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something happened at the same time as, or before or after, a meal. For example: "I discussed my future plans with my parents during breakfast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The phone rang during breakfast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All during breakfast DeWitt kept telling Coombs that he was doing things that just weren't done.

The New Yorker

One group received more of them during breakfast, and the other had more during dinner.

The New Yorker

The next morning during breakfast, three high-pitched alarms rang in the galley.

The New Yorker

The stark, handsome shop is at its most pleasant during breakfast, when it doesn't feel cramped.

The New York Times - Food

Blue Heaven takes no reservations, and during breakfast and dinner, expect a 45-minute wait.

The New York Times - Magazine

One morning, during breakfast at the battalion canteen, I asked Nagl about the Coalition Provisional Authority.

The New York Times - Magazine

Alma is noisy during breakfast, and Woodcock storms from the table, his routine disrupted.

The New Yorker

One kitchen identified eggs as a large and costly source of waste during breakfast service.

The Guardian

In his postgame news conference, Kelly spoke faster than a diner waitress during breakfast rush and seemingly didn't blink.

The New York Times - Sports

That is evident especially on Saturdays and Sundays, when a line sometimes forms out the door during breakfast and lunch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during breakfast" to clearly indicate an action or event that occurred simultaneously with the act of eating breakfast. It helps establish a temporal context for your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "during breakfast" as a subject or object in a sentence. It is a prepositional phrase, and should modify a verb. For example, instead of "During breakfast was enjoyable", write "The conversation during breakfast was enjoyable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during breakfast" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its role in specifying the timing of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

17%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during breakfast" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase, commonly used to specify the timing of events in relation to the act of eating breakfast. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase serves an adverbial function, providing essential temporal context across diverse registers, most notably in News & Media. When writing, remember to use it to modify a verb and avoid using it as a noun. Consider alternatives like "while having breakfast" or at breakfast time to refine your expression. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while having breakfast

This alternative uses a continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing action of eating breakfast.

at breakfast time

This phrase specifies a general period associated with breakfast.

over breakfast

This suggests a more relaxed and conversational atmosphere during the meal.

with breakfast

This phrase indicates an accompaniment or simultaneous action alongside the meal.

during the breakfast hour

This is a more formal way of specifying the time when breakfast is typically eaten.

as breakfast was being eaten

This alternative adds a passive voice construction and emphasizes the process of consuming breakfast.

while breakfasting

This utilizes the verb form of "breakfast", creating a more concise alternative.

at the breakfast table

This alternative emphasizes the location where breakfast occurs.

in the course of breakfast

This presents a more formal and extended period encompassing the meal.

breakfasting

This is the gerund form of the verb 'to breakfast', indicating the act of eating breakfast.

FAQs

How can I use "during breakfast" in a sentence?

You can use "during breakfast" to specify when an event takes place, for example: "I read the news "during breakfast"" or "We discussed the project "during breakfast"".

What's a more formal alternative to "during breakfast"?

A more formal alternative would be "at breakfast time" or "in the course of breakfast", which provides a similar temporal context but with increased formality. Another possible replacement is "while having breakfast".

Is it grammatically correct to say "breakfast time" instead of "during breakfast"?

"Breakfast time" is grammatically correct, but it functions differently. "During breakfast" specifies an activity happening while eating, whereas "breakfast time" refers to the general period designated for breakfast. For example "I read the paper "during breakfast"" versus "It happened at breakfast time".

Can I use "during breakfast" to describe a recurring event?

Yes, you can use "during breakfast" to describe a recurring event that happens regularly during the meal. For instance, "We always discuss our plans for the day "during breakfast"".