during lunch break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during lunch break" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time period when people typically take a break to eat lunch. Example: "I will send you the report during lunch break so you can review it before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It went online on a Sunday, but it was only the following day, a work day, that a reader asked him if he'd thought about warning unsuspecting readers that the photo made the article NSFW – Not Safe For Work. "They explained," recalled Ebert, "that they read the column at work ("during lunch break", of course) and were afraid a supervisor or co-worker might see a nude on their monitor.

The Guardian

He surfaces in order to visit Emily's school, where he finds her during lunch break.

The New Yorker

One time during lunch break, his parents came and brought him a sandwich.

The New Yorker

"I'd race back to my dorm room during lunch break to listen to the radio," he said.

The New York Times

"A young brain won't plateau at month two or three," she says in frustration, during lunch break.

The New York Times - Health

And on many weekdays, a peloton known as "the noon riders" — as many as 100 cyclists from Silicon Valley businesses riding during lunch break — blasts through.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Kids are smoking before school and during lunch breaks.

The Guardian - Opinion

He kept it in his desk and tried to read a little during lunch breaks.

The New Yorker

He played during lunch breaks at high school and at friends' houses after the bell rang.

The New York Times - Sports

They are no longer allowed to roam outside the building during lunch breaks.

The New York Times

My first love grew during lunch breaks in the sixth-form library, whispering over a copy of The Dharma Bums.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during lunch break" to clearly specify that an action occurs within the designated time for a midday work or school break. Be mindful of your audience and the context, considering that more formal alternatives like "during the midday recess" might be more appropriate in certain settings.

Common error

Avoid using "at lunch" when you mean "during lunch break". "At lunch" generally refers to the activity of eating lunch, while "during lunch break" refers to the time period. For instance, say "I read the report "during lunch break"" not "I read the report at lunch".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during lunch break" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify when an action occurs. According to Ludwig, this phrase follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

28%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during lunch break" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify when an action occurs within the allocated time for a midday break. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is acceptable and widely used across varied contexts, including news, science, and informal settings. While alternatives like "at lunchtime" exist, "during lunch break" provides clarity about the timing of events. This phrase is a practical and effective way to communicate when actions take place in relation to scheduled breaks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at lunchtime

This alternative uses a single word to replace the entire phrase, providing a more concise option.

over lunch break

Swaps "during" with "over", implying a similar timeframe but with a slightly different nuance.

during the midday recess

Replaces "lunch break" with a more formal term, "midday recess", suitable for academic or official settings.

while on lunch break

Adds the preposition "on", emphasizing the state of being on a break.

during the lunch hour

Replaces "break" with "hour", changing the emphasis to the duration of the lunch period.

in the middle of the lunch period

Expands the phrase to specify the timeframe more explicitly, adding emphasis.

during the noon interval

Substitutes "lunch break" with "noon interval", offering a less common but still understandable alternative.

in the course of the lunch break

Uses a more elaborate structure to convey the same meaning, adding formality.

at the midday meal

Focuses on the meal itself, replacing the concept of a "break" with the action of eating lunch.

while having lunch

Shifts the focus to the activity of eating lunch, rather than the break period itself.

FAQs

How can I use "during lunch break" in a sentence?

You can use "during lunch break" to specify when an action takes place within the timeframe allocated for lunch. For example: "I usually check my emails "during lunch break"" or "The team meeting is scheduled "during lunch break" tomorrow."

What is a more concise way to say "during lunch break"?

A more concise alternative is "at lunchtime". This option is appropriate when the specific duration or timing is not critical to the meaning of the sentence.

What's the difference between "during lunch break" and "at lunch"?

"During lunch break" refers to the time period allocated for a break to eat lunch, while "at lunch" refers to the activity of eating the midday meal. The phrase "during lunch break" specifies when something occurs, whereas "at lunch" describes an action being performed.

Are there any formal alternatives to "during lunch break"?

Yes, a more formal alternative would be "during the midday recess" or "during the lunch hour". These alternatives are suitable in academic or business contexts.