going to lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase typically in the context of stating an intention to take a meal break. For example: "I'm going to lunch now, so I'll be back in an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Going to "lunch"?

The New Yorker

I'm going to lunch.

The New Yorker

Look, I'm going to lunch.

The Guardian - Film

They get photographed going to lunch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm terrified," he said recently before going to lunch.

The New York Times

"Where are you going to lunch?" he asks.

The New Yorker

Work it out, dude, I'm going to lunch".

The New York Times

"I spent a long time going to lunch with quite a few of them, to calm them down," he said.

The New Yorker

Custodian Jose Moran had arranged the empty manger, at the front of the church before going to lunch.

Independent

Writer kept in contact with her after the series was published and tells about going to lunch with her.

The New Yorker

Going to lunch has never seemed as ominous as it does in Glengarry Glen Ross.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the location, use "going to lunch at". For example, "I am "going to lunch" at the new cafe."

Common error

While "going to lunch" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, consider using a more formal alternative like "attending a luncheon" or "taking a midday break" in highly formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to lunch" primarily functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb construction to indicate a future action or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going to lunch" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of taking a midday meal break. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently across various sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for informal and everyday communication. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "attending a luncheon" or "taking a midday break". Overall, understanding the context and audience will ensure you use "going to lunch" most effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having lunch

A more general way of expressing the act of eating lunch.

off to lunch

Similar to "going to lunch" and indicates departing for lunch

taking a lunch break

Focuses on the act of interrupting work for lunch.

breaking for lunch

Similar to taking a lunch break, highlighting the interruption of work.

grabbing lunch

Implies a quick and informal lunch.

getting some lunch

Similar to "grabbing lunch" and implies eating lunch

stepping out for lunch

Emphasizes the act of leaving a place to have lunch.

at lunch

Indicates being in the middle of the lunch period.

lunching

A less common, slightly more formal way to say having lunch.

out to lunch

Can mean either physically away for lunch or mentally distracted.

FAQs

How to use "going to lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "going to lunch" to describe a future action, such as "I'm "going to lunch" with Emily next week" or to state a common occurrence like "She passes much time by sitting on her new deck, reading James Patterson novels and "going to lunch" with old teammates and friends."

What can I say instead of "going to lunch"?

You can use alternatives like "taking a lunch break", "grabbing lunch", or "having lunch" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "going to lunch" or "go to lunch"?

"Going to lunch" is correct when used as a gerund or part of a continuous tense. "Go to lunch" is used as an imperative or infinitive. For example: "I am "going to lunch"", versus "Let's go to lunch".

What's the difference between "going to lunch" and "having lunch"?

"Going to lunch" implies the act of moving towards a lunch location or activity, while "having lunch" focuses on the action of eating the meal itself. They are often interchangeable but can have subtle differences in emphasis.