during this meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during this meal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time frame in which a meal is being consumed, often to indicate actions or events that occur at that time. Example: "During this meal, we will discuss our plans for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sometimes the telephone rings during this meal.

The New Yorker

I can't help thinking I've lost some of you during this meal... 9.50 PM: They don't call me the indie Paul Foot for nothing, you know - I have secured a menu!

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

So, as much as I wanted seafood, and my wife beef, we had to make those sacrifices during the course of this meal (I guess, that's what all good marriages are based on, right?).

Huffington Post

Twenty-five volunteers consumed this meal during 7 consecutive days; a diet low in nitrate was consumed during 1 week before and 1 week after the test week.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In order to do so, we defined four ranks: (1) the lamb accesses the teat first, (2) the lamb is in the first half of lambs (but not the first) to access the teat during this group meal, (3) the lamb is in the second half (but not the last), and (4) the lamb is the last to access the teat during a group meal.

Animal

They were told that the balance would record the weight of their bowl and food as they ate during the meal and that this information would be stored on the computer it was connected to for later analysis.

Appetite

This is a Mexican soup served before, after, or during the meal.

WikiHow

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during this meal", ensure it clearly connects an action or event to the timeframe of eating. For example, "During this meal, let's discuss our family goals."

Common error

Avoid using "during this meal" in sentences where the connection to the act of eating is unclear or irrelevant. For example, don't say "During this meal, the stock market crashed" unless the context directly links the event to the meal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during this meal" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It specifies the timing or context of an action, indicating when something occurs in relation to the act of eating. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during this meal" serves to pinpoint the timeframe when specific events or actions occur, relating them directly to the act of eating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently utilized phrase across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear connection between the meal setting and the action described to avoid ambiguity. While "during this meal" maintains a neutral tone suitable for many situations, writers can choose more formal alternatives such as "over the course of this meal" or more concise options like "while eating" to best fit their intended style and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout this meal

Replaces "during" with "throughout", emphasizing the continuous nature of something happening during the entire meal.

while eating this meal

Uses "while eating" instead of "during", focusing on the act of eating as the time frame.

over the course of this meal

Emphasizes the progression of time as the meal unfolds, rather than a specific moment.

in the middle of this meal

Indicates something happening at a point approximately equidistant between the start and end of the meal.

at some point during this meal

Highlights the uncertainty or lack of specificity regarding when something occurs during the meal.

in the course of dining

Replaces "meal" with a more general dining term, making it sounds slightly more formal.

amidst this repast

Uses more archaic synonyms for 'during' and 'meal', making it considerably more formal and less common.

while consuming this meal

Emphasizes the act of consuming as the primary action linked to the timeframe.

during the consumption of this meal

Significantly more formal and verbose way of expressing the same timeframe.

as this meal unfolds

Emphasizes the gradual progression of the meal rather than a singular event.

FAQs

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

Use "during this meal" to specify when an event occurs while someone is eating. For example: "I plan to share important news during this meal."

What's a more formal alternative to "during this meal"?

A more formal alternative could be "over the course of this meal" or "throughout this meal". These options provide a more elevated tone in professional settings.

What can I say instead of "during this meal" if I want to be more concise?

For conciseness, consider alternatives like "while eating" or "while we eat". These options streamline the sentence without losing the core meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "during this meal"?

While grammatically correct, "during this meal" should be avoided when the timing is irrelevant or creates an awkward sentence structure. Use it only if the meal setting is essential to the context.