during the dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"during the dinner" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use the phrase when you would like to refer to the general timeframe of the dinner. For example: We talked about our plans for the future during the dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

what happened during the dinner?

The New York Times - Books

They slipped out during the dinner lull.

The New Yorker

Expect him to offer vocal support during the dinner.

Independent

Noise Level -- O.K., but deafening during the dinner rush hour.

The New York Times

At some point during the dinner, however, a taste controversy ensued.

The New York Times

Campbell denied being a "boastful person" and flirting with Taylor during the dinner.

Independent

The wine director Jeffrey Porter will lead the tasting and discussion during the dinner.

The New York Times

What's it like to stand on stage during the dinner party scene?

The New York Times

At one point during the dinner, Mr. Williams swore at Mr. Christofi, the brief said.

The New York Times

It was Marsh who kept the conversation going during the dinner.

The New York Times - Magazine

Farrow says her attention was focused on her children during the dinner.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the dinner" to clearly specify when an event or action occurred in relation to a meal. It provides a clear temporal reference point for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "at the dinner" when you mean "during the dinner". "At" refers to a specific point, while "during" refers to a period of time. For example, say, "We discussed the project during the dinner", not "at the dinner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the dinner" functions as a prepositional phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. It specifies the timing of an action or event in relation to the dinner. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the dinner" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that adds temporal context to a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. Its frequency is high across diverse sources, especially in news and media. To ensure clarity, use it to specify when an action happens within the timeframe of a particular dinner. Avoid substituting "at the dinner" when you intend to refer to a duration rather than a specific point. By understanding its function and typical usage, you can effectively incorporate "during the dinner" into your writing to convey precise timing and enhance your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the meal

A general phrase indicating something happened at any point while eating.

at dinner

Shorter, more direct way of indicating something happened during the dinner period.

while dining

Focuses on the action of eating dinner while something else occurs.

over dinner

Implies conversation or activity happening in a relaxed setting, like a social gathering.

throughout the dinner

Emphasizes that something happened continuously from the start to the end of the meal.

in the course of the dinner

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events during the meal.

in the middle of dinner

Highlights that something happened when dinner was already underway.

as dinner progressed

Highlights the development or changes occurring during the meal.

while at supper

Uses "supper" as a synonym for dinner, implying a more relaxed or informal meal.

at the dinner table

Specifies the location where something happened during the dinner.

FAQs

How can I use "during the dinner" in a sentence?

Use "during the dinner" to indicate when an event took place in relation to the timeframe of a dinner. For example, "He made a speech "during the dinner"".

What are some alternatives to "during the dinner"?

You can use phrases like "at dinner", "over dinner", or "during the meal" as alternatives to "during the dinner", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at the dinner" instead of "during the dinner"?

While "at the dinner" might be acceptable in some contexts to indicate location, ""during the dinner"" is more appropriate when referring to events or actions that occur within the timeframe of the meal.

What's the difference between "during the dinner" and "during dinner time"?

"During dinner time" refers to the general period when dinner is usually eaten, while ""during the dinner"" refers to a specific instance of a dinner event.