having a barbecue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having a barbecue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of grilling food outdoors. For example: "We had a nice time last weekend having a barbecue with our friends in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"We're having a barbecue later and it suddenly occurred to us: 'Man!

The New York Times

In a courtyard on 129th Street, the tenants are having a barbecue.

The New York Times

Having a barbecue is like having a dragon round to your party.

The Guardian

And by the way, we are having a barbecue for the players this weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

From Starr's roof she saw Gary Hume and Georgie Hopton having a barbecue, so went round there.

The Guardian - Arts

"If you have people over and you're having a barbecue, everybody has to go into the house.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"We had a barbecue".

The New York Times

"It had a barbecue.

The New York Times

We're going to have a barbecue".

The New York Times - Sports

W. had a barbecue for the press on Thursday night.

The New York Times

To celebrate, we had a barbecue with my whole family.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider your audience. While "having a barbecue" is generally acceptable, you might choose a more formal phrase like "hosting an outdoor gathering" in professional contexts.

Common error

Ensure that the tense used with "having a barbecue" is consistent throughout the sentence and paragraph. Avoid shifting tenses unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a barbecue" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the activity of grilling food outdoors, often in a social setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having a barbecue" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe the act of grilling food outdoors, typically in a social setting. As Ludwig AI points out, it's versatile and appropriate for many contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources and holds a neutral to informal tone. Consider the context and audience when choosing between this and more formal alternatives such as "hosting an outdoor gathering".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a cookout

A synonym for having a barbecue, often used interchangeably.

barbecuing

A shorter, more informal way to say having a barbecue.

hosting a barbecue

Focuses on the act of organizing and holding the barbecue event.

throwing a barbecue

Implies organizing and hosting a barbecue event.

backyard barbecue

Specifies the location of the barbecue, typically at a private residence.

attending a barbecue

Emphasizes participation as a guest rather than the host.

a barbecue party

Highlights the social aspect of the barbecue, emphasizing it as a party.

grilling outdoors

Highlights the cooking aspect of a barbecue.

outdoor grilling party

Emphasizes both the outdoor aspect and the grilling activity.

summer barbecue gathering

Highlights the seasonal and social aspects of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "having a barbecue" in a sentence?

You can use "having a barbecue" to describe the act of hosting or participating in a barbecue. For example: "We are "having a barbecue" this weekend to celebrate the end of summer."

What's a more formal way to say "having a barbecue"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hosting an outdoor gathering", "organizing a cookout", or "holding a barbecue event" as more formal alternatives.

Is "having a barbecue" the same as "having a barbeque"?

Yes, "barbecue" and "barbeque" are both accepted spellings, although "barbecue" is more common. Therefore, "having a barbecue" and "having a barbeque" are essentially interchangeable.

What kind of food is typical when "having a barbecue"?

Typical foods include grilled meats like burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and ribs, along with side dishes such as potato salad, coleslaw, and corn on the cob.