having a feast

USAGE SUMMARY

"having a feast" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when talking about an event or gathering of people in which food will be served. For example, "We're having a feast on Sunday to celebrate my grandmother's birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"They're having a feast tonight," he says.

The New York Times

Compared to the Maunder Minimum, the current pace of sunspots "makes it look like we're having a feast, not a famine," Dr. Hathaway said.

The New York Times - Science

After the Rev. Marc Rougeau read the letter from Archbishop Gomez at the end of Mass at St . Marys Church in Boyle Heights, he added that "the media these days is having a feast of all the details and embellishments and adding on to things".

The New York Times

Vermin and the raccoons that prowl the city's leafier neighborhoods at night are having a feast, while many people have been left to wonder if this city's reputation for working like a Swiss clock is beginning to give way under the strain of financial stress and worker dissent.

The New York Times

Alongisde Roald Dahl's old-fashioned Englishness (he won the first Roald Dahl funny prize award), he mixes in elements of other writers' work: some of the "feel" of CS Lewis, bits of Enid Blyton ("any time you see tunnels, that's from Blyton") and dollops of Asterix – "the fact that so many of the books end up with the characters having a feast is taken directly from Asterix".

The Guardian

"A lot of ceremonial things took place singing, praying, having a feast".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We will have a feast tomorrow.

The New Yorker

Tonight the family would have a feast.

The Guardian - Books

Most years the birds have a feast on our neglect.

The New York Times

Then Dad sniffles, We'll have a feast.

The New Yorker

This year the festival has a feast of about 70 films.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having a feast" to describe a plentiful and joyous meal, often associated with celebrations or special occasions. For example, "The family is having a feast to celebrate their anniversary."

Common error

Avoid using "having a feast" to describe situations that don't involve literal food or a metaphorically abundant experience. For instance, saying "The media is having a feast with this scandal" is acceptable, but consider alternatives like "exploiting" or "capitalizing on" for greater clarity and precision if the metaphorical link is weak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a feast" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence. It describes the action of partaking in a large, celebratory meal. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having a feast" is a grammatically sound and moderately common phrase used to describe the act of enjoying a large, elaborate meal, often in celebration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and general usability. While it can be used across different registers, it appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts. To avoid misuse, ensure the context involves food or a metaphorically abundant experience. Alternatives like "enjoying a banquet" or "celebrating with a grand meal" can be used for variety, depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

celebrating with a grand meal

Emphasizes the celebratory aspect of the feast.

enjoying a banquet

Implies a more formal and elaborate meal than "having a feast".

feasting on delicacies

Focuses on the high quality and rarity of the food being consumed.

digging into a hearty spread

Suggests a wholesome and satisfying meal with a variety of dishes.

indulging in a lavish meal

Highlights the luxurious and excessive nature of the meal.

tucking into a massive spread

Implies enthusiastic and perhaps slightly messy eating.

having a blowout meal

More informal, suggesting a large and perhaps unhealthy amount of food.

partaking in a sumptuous repast

Uses more formal and literary language to describe eating a large meal.

enjoying a culinary extravaganza

Highlights the variety and excitement of the food.

pigging out on food

Informal and implies eating an excessive amount of food, often without restraint.

FAQs

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

"Having a feast" typically describes an occasion where there is a large, elaborate meal. For example, "We are "having a feast" to celebrate the new year."

What are some alternatives to "having a feast"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "enjoying a banquet", "indulging in a lavish meal", or "celebrating with a grand meal" as alternatives to "having a feast".

Is it correct to say "have a feast" instead of "having a feast"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they're used in different contexts. "Have a feast" is often used as an imperative (e.g., "Have a feast!"), while "having a feast" is used in continuous tenses (e.g., "We are having a feast").

What's the difference between "having a feast" and "having a meal"?

"Having a meal" is a general term for eating, while "having a feast" implies a large and elaborate meal, usually for a special occasion. Therefore, "having a feast" suggests abundance and celebration, while having a meal simply indicates the act of eating.