for a meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a meal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate what is being done in relation to food. For example: "We went to the restaurant for a meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No need for a meal.

The New Yorker

"I just came for a meal".

The New York Times

He rarely paid for a meal anymore.

The New York Times - Sports

Or stop for a meal.

The New York Times - Health

Do invite them home for a meal.

The New York Times

$15 a person for a meal.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr Ngewa charges 30 shillings for a meal.

The Economist

Crosley: "Bit into dessert looking for a meal".

The New Yorker

The Sandy Feet is good for a meal.

The Guardian - Travel

Our donors gave $200 a person for a meal plan.

The New York Times

I sat down and asked for a meal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a meal" to clearly state the purpose of an action related to eating, such as planning to visit a restaurant or inviting someone over.

Common error

Don't add extra prepositions like "for going for a meal". It's more concise and correct to say, "Let's go "for a meal"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a meal" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the purpose or reason for an action, answering the question "why?" Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a meal" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the purpose or reason behind an action related to eating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to personal conversations. It's important to use the phrase precisely, avoiding unnecessary prepositions and ensuring it clearly specifies the intention behind the action. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have dinner

Focuses specifically on the evening meal.

to get some food

A casual way to express the intention of eating.

to grab a bite

Implies a quick and informal meal.

to consume a dish

Implies eating a particular prepared item.

to eat something

A very general term referring to any act of eating.

to dine out

Suggests eating at a restaurant.

to break bread

Suggests sharing a meal, often in a communal or friendly setting.

to have a snack

Refers to a small amount of food eaten between meals.

to partake in a feast

Indicates a large and elaborate meal.

to enjoy a repast

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to refer to a meal.

FAQs

How can I use "for a meal" in a sentence?

You can use "for a meal" to indicate the reason or purpose of an action related to eating. For example, "They went to the restaurant "for a meal"" or "She invited them over "for a meal"".

What are some alternatives to using "for a meal"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to have dinner", "to grab a bite", or "to eat something" as alternatives to "for a meal".

Is it correct to say "I went out for getting a meal" instead of "I went out for a meal"?

No, the correct phrasing is "I went out "for a meal"". Adding "getting" is grammatically incorrect and redundant.

What's the difference between saying "for a meal" and "to eat"?

"For a meal" specifies the purpose or reason, while "to eat" simply indicates the action of consuming food. For example, "They met "for a meal"" implies a social context, whereas "They met to eat" simply states the activity.