in the breakfast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the breakfast" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically not used as it lacks clarity and proper context; the correct phrase would usually be "at breakfast" or "during breakfast." Example: "We discussed our plans in detail at breakfast."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Travel

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A crystal vase in the breakfast nook.

The New Yorker

"I was like everybody in 'The Breakfast Club,' combined".

The New Yorker

I catch up with Lindsey in the breakfast bar.

The Guardian - Film

These are explained in detail in "The Breakfast Bible" (Bloomsbury, $30).

The New York Times - Food

In the breakfast line, strawberry-flavored Pop-Tarts were always on display.

The Washington Post

Downstairs I had black coffee, kippers, and brown toast in the breakfast room.

The Guardian - Music

But not before taking in the breakfast options at the airport.

The Guardian - Sport

Ally Sheedy, who starred alongside Ringwald in The Breakfast Club, said: "He's very vulnerable.

The Guardian - Film

Hughes said he expected some "natural churn" in the breakfast show's audience.

The Guardian

In the breakfast room, I was greeted by many of the Nobel scientists.

The New Yorker

We join the other couples sitting in sepulchral silence in the breakfast room.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "at breakfast" or "during breakfast" for clearer and more grammatically sound phrasing. For example, instead of saying "We discussed the project in the breakfast", say "We discussed the project at breakfast."

Common error

Avoid using "in" to indicate time or activity related to meals. The preposition "in" typically denotes location or inclusion, not the timing of an event. For instance, avoid writing "I read the news in the breakfast." A better choice is "I read the news at breakfast."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the breakfast" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to specify a time or location related to the morning meal. However, according to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically incorrect, as evidenced by the recommended alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "in the breakfast" appears with some frequency, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended purpose is to indicate timing or location relative to the morning meal, but standard English prefers alternatives like "at breakfast" or "during breakfast". Its common usage in News & Media contexts may contribute to its persistence, but for clear and correct writing, opting for the suggested alternatives is always preferable. It is incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at breakfast

Replaces the preposition to provide a more grammatically standard expression of time.

during breakfast

Uses a different preposition to describe an action happening while eating breakfast.

over breakfast

Suggests a conversation or event that occurs while sharing the meal of breakfast.

while having breakfast

Specifies the action of eating breakfast and connects it to another event.

during the breakfast service

More formal way of indicating when something happens during the serving of breakfast, often used in hotel or restaurant contexts.

at the breakfast table

Indicates a location where breakfast is typically eaten.

as we ate breakfast

Expresses an action that took place while the speaker was eating breakfast.

with breakfast

Describes actions accompanied by or including the breakfast meal.

at breakfast time

Specifically refers to the time when breakfast is usually consumed.

while breakfasting

A more concise and somewhat less common way to say 'while eating breakfast'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "in the breakfast"?

The correct way to refer to activities occurring during the morning meal is to say "at breakfast" or "during breakfast". The preposition "in" is generally inappropriate in this context.

Is "in the breakfast" grammatically correct?

No, "in the breakfast" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use "at breakfast" or "during breakfast" to describe events or actions occurring while eating breakfast.

What does "at breakfast" mean?

"At breakfast" means during the time when breakfast is being eaten. It's used to indicate when something happens in relation to the breakfast meal.

When should I use "during breakfast" instead of "in the breakfast"?

You should always use "during breakfast" instead of "in the breakfast". "During breakfast" correctly indicates that something happened while the meal was being consumed, as in "I checked my emails during breakfast".