had lunch with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had lunch with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past event where you shared a meal with someone. Example: "Yesterday, I had lunch with my old friend from college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I had lunch with Strauss," he said.

Independent

I just had lunch with him.

The New York Times

"Had lunch with my mother".

The New Yorker

Had lunch with Hytner today.

The Guardian

Mary McAleese had lunch with Queen Elizabeth II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I had lunch with Chloe (Gonzo).

The Guardian - Books

One day, I had lunch with Goldsmith.

The New Yorker

Recently I had lunch with another author.

The New York Times

"I had lunch with Judge Judy".

The New York Times

He has had lunch with Bob Torricelli.

The New York Times

The writer had lunch with Barney Bienstock, a TV actor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about professional interactions, using "had lunch with" can humanize the subject, making them more relatable. For instance, "The CEO had lunch with the interns, fostering a sense of camaraderie."

Common error

While "had lunch with" is generally acceptable, be mindful of your audience. In highly formal documents, consider alternatives like "dined with" or "met for a midday meal" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had lunch with" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of sharing a midday meal with someone. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing meetings, social interactions, and professional engagements, confirming its role in conveying shared experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had lunch with" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote sharing a midday meal with someone. Ludwig AI affirms its common usage in describing various interactions, from casual meetings to professional engagements. While generally neutral to informal, as evidenced by its prevalence in news and media, it’s crucial to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "dined with" in professional settings. As Ludwig's examples showcase, the phrase effectively conveys a personal connection and shared experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lunched with

A more concise and slightly less formal way of saying "had lunch with".

met for lunch with

Emphasizes the meeting aspect of the lunch arrangement.

shared lunch with

Emphasizes the act of sharing a meal, highlighting the communal aspect.

joined for lunch with

Focuses on the act of joining someone for their lunchtime.

dined with

Replaces "had lunch" with a more formal term, implying a more sophisticated meal.

grabbed lunch with

Informal and emphasizes a quick, casual lunch.

took lunch with

Highlights the action of taking the meal together.

had a midday meal with

Replaces "lunch" with a descriptive phrase, making it more explicit.

graced lunch with

A more elegant and less common way to express having lunch with someone.

broke bread with

An idiomatic expression emphasizing fellowship and connection.

FAQs

How can I use "had lunch with" in a sentence?

You can use "had lunch with" to describe a past event where you shared a midday meal with someone. For example, "Yesterday, I "had lunch with" my former colleague."

What are some alternatives to "had lunch with"?

Some alternatives include "dined with", "lunched with", or "shared lunch with", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "dined with" instead of "had lunch with"?

Yes, "dined with" is generally considered more formal than "had lunch with". Use it when a more sophisticated or official tone is appropriate.

Which is correct, "had lunch with" or "had a lunch with"?

"Had lunch with" is the correct and more common usage. The indefinite article "a" is not typically used before "lunch" in this context. Therefore, "I "had lunch with" him yesterday" is preferable to "I had a lunch with him yesterday".