impromptu lunches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impromptu lunches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe meals that are arranged spontaneously or without prior planning. Example: "We decided to have impromptu lunches during the week to catch up with each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Wechsler will cook impromptu lunches and dinners for customers to take home (the aroma of sautéed garlic in the shrimp scampi was hard to resist) and he eagerly gives advice and tips on cooking fish.

The New York Times

New York's many modes of transportation – be it subway, cab or Citibike – also make last-minute impromptu lunches a breeze, not to mention that if a customer runs into a critical support issue, it's no big deal to pop by their office and save the day.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But by then his impromptu lunch seminars were Wall Street lore, former pupils like Mr. Lyon said.

The New York Times

Michelle sometimes takes her staff on impromptu lunch trips to Five Guys or other burger and barbeque spots.

The New York Times

A few days after dining at Beach Plum, I found Mr. Fischer and a dozen waiters, farmhands and young people of no discernible vocation having an impromptu lunch at Beetlebung Farm.

The New York Times - Travel

Case in point: at an impromptu lunch with Drs. S and Y the other day we had a bottle of 2005 Le Clos from Les Champs de l'Abbaye in Côtes du Couchois.

The New York Times

We were invited to an impromptu lunch and, suddenly, I was on a low stool, my knees by my ears, eating prawns cooked on a makeshift wire grill over a coal bucket.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As is the custom in South Africa, Mr. Shuttleworth received a guest without formal ceremony, serving an impromptu lunch of bread and cheese with lime marmalade -- one of his favorite combinations.

The New York Times

An afternoon of conversation at the Birthplace, including an impromptu lunch down the block at Gramercy Tavern, revealed that whether talking about presidents, literature or music (he wrote classical music reviews for The Washington Post while working in the White House), Mr. Morris has the "gift of theater" that in his view is one of the traits shared by Presidents Reagan and Roosevelt.

The New York Times - Books

I also recall a particularly splendid encounter in a quiet corner of a well-known central London library which I had better not name, although that was after in impromptu boozy lunch at a restaurant round the corner well-known for its oysters, which may have had something to do with it (although, as I recall, I had the whitebait).

Independent

Others are just happy memories captured on paper, like an impromptu shared lunch or an inside joke about the letter of the week.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impromptu lunches" to convey a sense of spontaneity and flexibility. It suggests a relaxed and informal approach to meal planning.

Common error

Avoid using "impromptu lunches" to imply that the lunches are poorly prepared or lacking in quality. "Impromptu" refers to the timing and planning, not the meal itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impromptu lunches" functions as a noun phrase, where "impromptu" modifies the noun "lunches". It describes the characteristic of the lunches being spontaneous. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impromptu lunches" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe spontaneous and unplanned lunch arrangements. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Though relatively rare, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the focus remains on the spontaneity of the lunch rather than implying anything negative about the meal itself. Consider alternatives like "spontaneous lunches" or "unplanned lunches" to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spontaneous lunches

Emphasizes the unplanned nature of the lunches.

Unplanned lunches

Highlights the absence of prior arrangement.

Off-the-cuff lunches

Indicates a casual and immediate decision to have lunch.

Extemporaneous lunches

A more formal way of saying unplanned.

Last-minute lunches

Focuses on the short notice of the lunch arrangement.

Ad-hoc lunches

Highlights that the lunches are created or done for a particular purpose as necessary.

Unscheduled lunches

Similar to unplanned, focusing on the lack of a set schedule.

Casual lunches

Emphasizes the relaxed and informal nature of the lunches.

Informal lunches

Highlights the absence of a formal setting or arrangement.

Improvised lunches

Highlights the ability to create an impromptu meal.

FAQs

What does "impromptu lunches" mean?

"Impromptu lunches" refers to lunches that are arranged or happen spontaneously, without prior planning or preparation.

What can I say instead of "impromptu lunches"?

You can use alternatives like "spontaneous lunches", "unplanned lunches", or "last-minute lunches" depending on the context.

Is "impromptu lunches" formal or informal?

While the word "impromptu" itself might sound slightly formal, the phrase "impromptu lunches" is generally used in neutral to informal contexts.

How can I use "impromptu lunches" in a sentence?

You could say, "New York's many modes of transportation make last-minute "impromptu lunches" a breeze."