in the dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the dinner" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically not used; instead, one would say "at dinner" or "during dinner" to refer to the time or event of having a meal. Example: "We discussed our plans for the summer in detail at dinner."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

In "The Dinner Game" nobody escaped censure.

The New Yorker

"Everyone, at some point in the dinner, toasts.

The New York Times

We both pretty much cried in the dinner hall.

Independent

There was no pathos in this discovery, or in the dinner.

The New Yorker

In the dinner break halfway through recording, I go in search of their supporting cast.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now comes another evolution in the dinner, brought on by the disciplined era of Bush II.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I particularly liked the wig that turned Geraldine James into Barbara Castle, although the fondue set in the dinner-party scene was a terrible cliché.

Independent

In 2001, he won a Theater World Award for his Broadway performance with Henry Winkler in "The Dinner Party".

The New York Times - Arts

In "The Dinner Party," they often feel like the offerings of a veteran gag writer, hot off the word processor.

The New York Times

In this mode, I'm just trying to hit notes — comedic notes in "The Dinner Party," exotic notes in "The Fragments" — and then gently pursue their suggested direction.

The New Yorker

He showcased his versatility as an actor in such films as Sling Blade (1996) and Manhood (2003), in more than 25 made-for TV movies, and on Broadway in The Dinner Party (2000).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to activities occurring during a meal, prefer using "at dinner" or "during dinner" as they are more grammatically accepted and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "in the dinner" as it is grammatically awkward. Instead, opt for prepositions like "at" or "during" to correctly indicate the time or setting of the meal. For instance, say "We had a great conversation at dinner" instead of "We had a great conversation in the dinner."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the dinner" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, attempting to specify the location or time frame within a dinner setting. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is generally not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "in the dinner" appears frequently, particularly in News & Media contexts, Ludwig AI highlights that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The intended meaning—indicating something occurring during a meal—is better conveyed through alternatives like "at dinner" or "during dinner". Despite its common usage, especially in certain media, it's advisable to avoid "in the dinner" in formal or academic writing to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at dinner

Replaces "in the dinner" with a more standard and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate being present or engaged during a meal.

during dinner

Offers a temporal alternative, specifying that something occurs within the timeframe of the dinner event.

over dinner

Indicates that something happens while the dinner is taking place, focusing on the activity accompanying the meal.

at the dinner table

Specifies the location where the dinner is consumed, adding a spatial element to the phrase.

during the meal

Replaces "dinner" with the broader term "meal", suitable for any type of meal, not just dinner.

while dining

Uses a gerund phrase to indicate an action occurring simultaneously with the act of eating dinner.

at suppertime

Replaces "dinner" with "supper", offering a slightly different term for the evening meal, especially in some regional dialects.

during the feast

Substitutes "dinner" with "feast", implying a more elaborate or celebratory meal.

while at the table

Focuses on the physical act of being seated at the table during the mealtime.

in the evening meal

More descriptive, replacing "dinner" with a longer phrase referring to the specific time of day and type of meal.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to something happening during a meal, "in the dinner" or "at dinner"?

The correct and more grammatically sound way is to say "at dinner". Saying "in the dinner" is generally considered incorrect. For example, you should say, "We discussed our vacation plans "at dinner"".

What can I use instead of "in the dinner"?

Instead of "in the dinner", you can use more appropriate alternatives such as ""at dinner"", "during dinner", or "over dinner" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "at dinner" versus "during dinner"?

"At dinner" is generally used to indicate a state or activity that takes place during the mealtime, while "during dinner" is used to specify when something happened within the duration of the meal. Both are better choices than "in the dinner".

Is there a difference between saying "at the dinner" and "at dinner"?

Yes, "at dinner" is more commonly used to refer to the general event of having dinner. "At the dinner" typically refers to a specific, named dinner event. However, neither is interchangeable with the grammatically questionable phrase "in the dinner".