during the meal

USAGE SUMMARY

"during the meal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something happening at the same time as a meal is taking place. For example, "We talked about our plans for the weekend during the meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The didn't appear during the meal.

The New Yorker

"It was during the meal.

The Guardian

No one said anything during the meal.

The New Yorker

Wittgenstein rather silent during the meal.

The New Yorker

SOMETIMES she'll drop by your table during the meal.

The New York Times

"I don't like people messing with their phones during the meal".

The New Yorker

He did not speak at all, just hummed and conducted an invisible orchestra during the meal.

The New Yorker

Servers fretted and hovered, as attentive during the meal as they had been absent before it.

The New York Times

It's not about what you drink before or during the meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As a veritable novice, I was trusting Sayegh to take care of me during the meal.

The Guardian

Aurore Clément plays Roxanne (Marais's widowed daughter-in-law) as a watchful face during the meal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the meal", ensure it clearly connects the timing of an event to the act of eating. For example, "Important announcements were made during the meal."

Common error

Avoid using "during the meal" to describe actions immediately before or after eating. Instead, use "before the meal" or "after the meal" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the meal" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating when an action occurs. As seen in Ludwig, it specifies the timeframe concurrent with the act of eating.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the meal" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify that an action or event occurs concurrently with eating. As Ludwig AI explains, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. The phrase's neutral register makes it versatile for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly connects the timing of an event to the act of eating. Avoid using it to describe actions that occur immediately before or after the meal. Alternative phrases, such as "while eating" or "over dinner", can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality or context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while eating

This alternative is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same timeframe.

at the dinner table

This alternative specifies the location where the event takes place, adding spatial context.

over dinner

This alternative is a more casual and idiomatic way to describe events that transpire during a meal, typically dinner.

during supper

This alternative uses a different term for the meal, 'supper,' which may imply a lighter or more informal evening meal.

at lunchtime

This alternative specifies the meal as 'lunchtime', providing a different temporal context.

while dining

This alternative uses the more formal verb 'dining', suggesting a more upscale or ceremonial meal setting.

as we ate

This alternative turns the phrase into a clause, focusing on the act of eating.

in the course of the meal

This alternative is a more formal and elaborate way of saying "during the meal".

mid-meal

This alternative is a shorter, hyphenated form suggesting the middle part of the meal.

during the repast

This alternative uses 'repast,' a more formal and somewhat archaic term for 'meal.'

FAQs

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

Use "during the meal" to describe something that occurs concurrently with eating. For example, "We discussed the project "during the meal"."

What's a simple substitute for "during the meal"?

A simpler substitute is "while eating". For example, "We talked "while eating"" conveys the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "in the meal" instead of "during the meal"?

No, "in the meal" is not typically used to describe the timing of an event. "During the meal" is the correct prepositional phrase to use.

What is the difference between "before the meal", "during the meal", and "after the meal"?

"Before the meal" refers to actions preceding the meal, "during the meal" indicates actions occurring simultaneously with eating, and "after the meal" denotes actions following the meal. They specify different points in time relative to eating.