eager to dine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eager to dine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong desire or enthusiasm to eat, often in a social or formal context. Example: "After a long day of meetings, we were all eager to dine at the new restaurant downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Every evening chairs and tables stretch down towards the water attracting strolling visitors eager to dine under the stars.

The Guardian - Travel

That reality and my friend's experience at Annisa make clear that if you're eager to dine at a restaurant, you shouldn't give up with a single call.

The New York Times

While certain New Yorkers continue to lament the downscaling of the stretch of Fifth Avenue from Rockefeller Center to Grand Army Plaza -- its amusement-park feeling, the out-of-towners in their Easy Spirits -- it has become harder to argue that the blocks have been abandoned to the tastes of those eager to dine at Hooters.

The New York Times - Style

The lesser rich sometimes rent their luxury digs to tourists, who stream into the town in steady supply enamored by the grand scenery and plentiful wildlife, eager to dine on seared elk medallions and provide Jackson the majority of its economy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Murdoch is perhaps inviting himself for comparison with fellow kingpin Warren Buffett Warren Buffett, chief of Berkshire Hathaway who has already established an annual tradition of inviting eager eBay bidders to dine with him.

Forbes

People dine together to dine together.

WikiHow

OTHER marketers are eager to push convenience dining in new directions.

The New York Times

The time was right for family-style restaurants that served American food and breakfast all day, Ko says, because the growing middle class was eager to spend its disposable income on dining experiences.

Columbia University

He added luxury accommodations and fine dining to attract tourists eager to see wildlife close up.

The New York Times

Those would be the servers, quick on their feet and eager to please as they lead you to a table in one of two spacious dining rooms.

The New York Times

Despite the dirt, exhaust, noise and unscheduled entertainment, outdoor dining season seems to come to the city earlier each year, with New Yorkers eager to take advantage of a growing number of outdoor options.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase's formality matches the overall tone of your writing. It's suitable for travel writing, restaurant reviews, or describing special occasions.

Common error

Avoid using "eager to dine" in casual contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ready to eat" or "want to eat" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager to dine" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a state of anticipation or keenness towards eating. It provides additional information about the subject's disposition towards the act of dining. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eager to dine" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express anticipation and enthusiasm for an upcoming meal, often in a formal or social setting. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the formality of the setting and choose more casual alternatives like "ready to eat" in informal situations. The top authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times and The Guardian, reflecting its descriptive quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxious to eat

Expresses eagerness with a slightly stronger sense of anticipation.

keen to have dinner

Uses "keen" to convey enthusiasm, specifically for dinner.

looking forward to eating

Emphasizes anticipation of the act of eating.

excited to eat

Conveys a feeling of excitement about the upcoming meal.

ready to eat

Implies preparedness and anticipation, though less emphatic.

wanting to dine

Uses "wanting" to express a desire to dine.

desirous of dining

A more formal way of expressing the desire to dine.

hungry for dinner

Highlights the hunger aspect alongside the anticipation.

awaiting dinner with anticipation

A longer phrase that really emphasizes the anticipation.

eager for a meal

Generalizes "dine" to any meal.

FAQs

How can I use "eager to dine" in a sentence?

"Eager to dine" is often used to describe someone's anticipation or enthusiasm for a meal, especially in a restaurant or formal setting. For example: "Every evening chairs and tables stretch down towards the water attracting strolling visitors "eager to dine" under the stars."

What can I say instead of "eager to dine"?

You can use alternatives like "anxious to eat", "keen to have dinner", or "looking forward to eating" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "eager to dine"?

"Eager to dine" is suitable in formal or celebratory contexts. It's a good fit for travel writing, restaurant reviews, or describing special occasions. Avoid using it in very casual conversation.

What's the difference between "eager to dine" and "hungry"?

"Eager to dine" emphasizes anticipation and enthusiasm for the dining experience, while "hungry" simply describes the physical need for food. You might be hungry and "ready to eat", but not necessarily "eager to dine" in a formal setting.