going to dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

'going to dinner' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about plans to have dinner with someone or about an event or outing that involves dinner. For example, "Our friends are going to dinner tonight at the new seafood restaurant downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then we're going to dinner, right?

The New Yorker

Just going to dinner might be enough".

The New York Times

"We're going to dinner".

The New York Times

I was going to dinner at Petaluma.

The New York Times

'Those girls get photographed going to dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We make a point of going to dinner regularly.

Independent

"Going to dinner after the games," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

:) DAY 2 Stuck going to dinner w/ some damned French minister.

The New York Times

But it was no fund going to dinner at his home - there were just delicate morsels.

The New Yorker

We're going to dinner around nine at that place Merci for this amazing prix-fixe menu.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I went to dinner.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going to dinner", consider the context and audience. For formal settings, "attending a dinner" or "having dinner" might be more appropriate. For informal settings, "grabbing a bite" might be a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using "going to dinner" in highly formal documents or presentations. Opt for phrases like "attending a formal dinner" or "participating in a dinner engagement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to dinner" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically describes an activity or plan. Ludwig shows numerous examples in news and lifestyle contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going to dinner" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of planning or participating in a dinner event. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. While versatile, its register leans toward neutral to informal, making alternatives like "having dinner" or "attending a dinner" more suitable for formal contexts. Its frequent appearance in news and lifestyle publications underscores its widespread use in describing social and planned dining experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dining out

This alternative focuses on the act of eating at a restaurant rather than the planned event.

having dinner

A more general term referring to the act of eating dinner, whether at home or elsewhere.

attending a dinner

Emphasizes the event-like nature of the dinner, especially if it's formal.

dinner plans

Highlights the planned aspect of the dinner arrangement.

supper engagement

A more formal and old-fashioned way of saying attending dinner.

breaking bread

A more symbolic or communal way of referring to sharing a meal.

sharing a meal

This phrase emphasizes the social aspect of eating together.

dinner date

This suggests a romantic dinner outing.

grabbing a bite

An informal way to express eating dinner, often implying a quick or casual meal.

meeting for dinner

Highlights the purpose of meeting someone for a meal.

FAQs

What's another way to say "going to dinner"?

You can use phrases like "dining out", "having dinner", or "attending a dinner" depending on the context.

Is "going to dinner" formal or informal?

"Going to dinner" is generally considered neutral to informal. In formal settings, you might prefer "attending a dinner" or "having dinner".

How do I use "going to dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "going to dinner" to describe a planned event. For example, "We are going to dinner tonight at a new Italian restaurant."

What's the difference between "going to dinner" and "eating out"?

"Going to dinner" usually refers to a specific plan or invitation to have dinner, while "eating out" is a more general term for dining at a restaurant.