during the dining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the dining" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to refer to the time period while a meal is being eaten, but it is more natural to use other expressions. Example: "During the dining, we discussed various topics related to our project."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

During the Dining by Design sale at the Conran Shop, through Oct. 31, many dining tables and chairs are up to 20 percent off (the Manilla side chair, originally $345, is $276; the Barton rectangular extending table, regularly $2,750, is $2,200); at ABC Home (lower level), 888 Broadway (19th Street), [phone], conranusa.com.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Anyone who walks by the dining cube during lunch is always tempted to stop and enjoy some fun conversation, quiet contentment, relaxation, good company and delicious food".

The New York Times

The large stone patio where we practice yoga is about 30 yards from the dining hall, and during the predinner classes I tease myself by trying to smell what they're cooking.

The New York Times - Travel

Earlier the same day, in his office, where he works as the associate athletics director, Griffin reflected on tear-jerking speeches of former players during Michigan week and how he and his teammates laughed one Saturday morning when Hayes ordered attractive young waitresses to leave the dining area during the team breakfast.

The New York Times - Sports

If you want your puppy to stay out of the dining room during meals, crate him/her during meals.

WikiHow

Some people moan about the regular sight of Lee swanning about the dining room during service in whites, table hopping and snogging his mates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among these cruise A-listers is Margaret Atwood, who will give a lecture and will be accessible in the dining room during an 11-day trip through the Scottish isles with Adventure Canada beginning May 31.

The New York Times - Travel

The military's change in policy came after a particularly bloody spring in 2002, when a Palestinian from the West Bank traveled nine short miles across Israel and walked into the modest Park Hotel here in Netanya, a coastal resort town, blowing himself up in the dining hall during a Passover seder.

The New York Times

Several riots did break out in the dining hall during Alcatraz's history.

Wikipedia

Opportunities came many times, in the dining room during breakfast and dinner.

Huffington Post

Sit in Harvest's (1104 Chapel St, New Haven) central courtyard during pleasant weather or inside the dining room when it's chilly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context: "over dinner" is more suitable when referencing a particular meal, while "at the dining table" highlights the location.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "during the dining". While grammatically correct, it's less common. Vary your sentence structure by using "during the meal" or simply "while dining" to enhance readability and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the dining" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the time at which an event occurs. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is less common than alternatives like "during the meal."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the dining" is a grammatically sound but infrequent prepositional phrase used to specify when something occurs relative to the act of dining. Ludwig suggests that while not incorrect, more common alternatives such as "during the meal" or "while dining" are generally preferred for their natural sound and wider acceptance. Its register is generally neutral, although its relative rarity might make it sound slightly unusual in some contexts. When choosing a phrase, considering alternatives that may provide clarity or be more common is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the meal

More common and natural way to express the same timeframe.

while dining

A more concise and equally common alternative.

during the dinner

More specific in referencing dinner.

while having dinner

More verbose way of saying "while dining".

during mealtime

Emphasizes the time period dedicated to eating.

at the dining table

Focuses more on the location than the action.

during dining hours

Refers to a period of the day or night when meals are served

over dinner

Implies a specific mealtime setting.

at dinnertime

Refers to the typical time for dinner.

during the supper

Implies a specific mealtime setting (supper).

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "during the dining"?

Alternatives like "during the meal" or "while dining" are generally preferred as they sound more natural and are more frequently used.

How does "during the dining" differ from "at the dining table"?

"During the dining" refers to the time period in which someone is eating. "At the dining table" focuses on the physical location where the meal is taking place.

Is "during the dining" grammatically incorrect?

No, "during the dining" is not grammatically incorrect, but it's less idiomatic compared to alternatives such as "during the meal" or "while dining".

When is it appropriate to use "during the dining"?

While technically acceptable, it's best to reserve "during the dining" for situations where you specifically want to emphasize the activity of dining itself, rather than simply the time or location. However, even in those cases, consider if more common options like "while dining" might be a better choice.