during supper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during supper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time period when a meal, specifically supper, is being eaten. Example: "We discussed our plans for the weekend during supper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I rehydrate with a vodka gimlet, and wine during supper.

The New York Times - Food

THINK of the junk mail clogging your letterbox, or those annoying cold calls during supper, and direct marketing seems a modern curse.

The Economist

But she has since clarified that she "fainted" and banged her head during supper with the other contestants just before production of the episode was due to start.

The Guardian

One evening, during supper in our summer home on the island of Heybeli, not far from Istanbul, my mother and father both left the table.

The New Yorker

In 1930, a hundred people attended a coming-out party in a tennis court canopied with blue gauze dotted with stars; the Happy-Go-Lucky Boys sang during supper.

The New York Times

"You're the Top," for example, had its origin one night during supper at the Boeuf sur le Toit in Paris, when Porter and the then Mrs. Alastair Mackintosh entertained themselves by making up a list of superlatives that rhymed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is six o'clock, so Mina rushes around, from one store to another during her supper hour getting what she needs.

The New Yorker

A Palestinian family of 25, said to have been hosting a Hamas fighter during a supper to break the Ramadan fast, was wiped out.Yet it would be a grievous mistake to bring about a ceasefire that achieved nothing more than to revert to the status quo.

The Economist

In Luke and John, the prediction is made during the Supper (Luke 22 34, John 22 34).

Wikipedia

With everyone at a different level, hollered words of encouragement from the other yachts are both useful and uplifting, while the advice and yarns exchanged during communal suppers in restaurants and pubs along the route are invaluable.

The Guardian - Travel

Telegram said "I am playing return engagement Hotel Pennsylvania Roof starting tonight and every night except Sunday during dinner and supper.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during supper", consider your audience. In modern American English, "dinner" is often preferred to "supper" unless aiming for a specific regional or historical tone. Therefore, consider using "during dinner" for a broader audience.

Common error

Avoid assuming "supper" is universally understood to mean the evening meal. In some dialects, "supper" refers to a late-night snack, not the main evening meal. Be aware of your audience and use "dinner" unless you're sure "supper" will be correctly interpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during supper" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the timing of an action or event in relation to the meal known as supper. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during supper" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase that specifies the timing of an event relative to the evening meal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While "supper" might be less common than "dinner" in modern American English, the phrase remains useful, particularly in specific regional or historical contexts. When considering alternative phrases, "at supper" or "during dinner" are viable options depending on the desired nuance and audience. It's important to consider the context and the audience's familiarity with the term "supper" to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at supper

Specifies the time of occurrence more directly, focusing on the meal itself.

while having supper

Emphasizes the activity of eating the meal as the concurrent action.

over supper

Indicates that something happened in the course of the supper meal.

at dinnertime

Replaces "supper" with a more common synonym for the evening meal.

during dinner

Replaces "supper" with "dinner", the more typical modern term for this meal.

while dining

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the act of dining.

during the evening meal

A more descriptive and formal alternative.

as we ate supper

Rephrases the timing as a clause describing the action of eating.

while supper was being eaten

Passive voice construction focusing on the meal being consumed.

in the course of supper

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

FAQs

What does "during supper" mean?

"During supper" refers to the time period in which the evening meal, often called supper, is being consumed.

Is it better to say "during supper" or "during dinner"?

While both are grammatically correct, "dinner" is the more common and widely understood term for the evening meal in contemporary English. "Supper" may be preferred in certain regions or historical contexts.

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

You can use "during supper" to indicate when an event or action occurred, for example: "We discussed our vacation plans during supper."

What are some alternatives to saying "during supper"?

Some alternatives include "at supper", "while having supper", or, using a more common term for evening meal, "during dinner".