it was lunchtime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was lunchtime" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a specific time of day when people typically take a break to eat lunch. Example: "As the clock struck noon, it was lunchtime, and the office began to empty as everyone headed to the cafeteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Anyway, it was lunchtime.

The New York Times - Travel

It was lunchtime.

The New York Times - Food

And by the way, it was lunchtime.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was lunchtime on a recent misty weekday.

The New York Times

But now it was lunchtime the following day.

Independent

The morning crowds had thinned and it was lunchtime now.

The New Yorker

It was lunchtime, but the laminated wood tables were empty.

The New York Times

It was lunchtime, and there had been talk of a picnic.

The New Yorker

It was lunchtime, and the vodka bottles had clearly been out for a while.

The New Yorker

When it was lunchtime, they invited him to share their food.

The New Yorker

Soon it was lunchtime and time for jury to retire and deliberate.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was lunchtime" to clearly establish the time of day, providing context for subsequent actions or events. For instance, "It was lunchtime, so everyone headed to the cafeteria."

Common error

Avoid using "it is lunchtime" when describing a past event. Ensure that the tense aligns with the narrative's timeline. For example, instead of "Yesterday, it is lunchtime", use "Yesterday, it was lunchtime".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was lunchtime" primarily functions as a temporal marker, establishing a specific point in time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It sets the scene or provides context for subsequent actions or events within a narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was lunchtime" is a grammatically sound and widely used temporal marker. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it neutrally establishes the time of day, setting the scene for related events. While various alternatives exist—such as "it was noon" or "it was time for lunch"—ensure that the tense aligns with the narrative, avoiding errors like using "it is lunchtime" for past events. Using "it was lunchtime" provides clear temporal context to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was noon

Focuses specifically on the time of day, implying the start of lunchtime.

it was time for lunch

Emphasizes that the designated period for the midday meal had arrived.

lunchtime had arrived

Highlights the arrival of the period specifically dedicated to lunch.

the lunch hour had begun

Refers specifically to the start of a designated one-hour break for lunch.

it was the middle of the day

Indicates the central part of the day, when lunch is typically eaten.

the midday break had started

Highlights the commencement of a break period around the middle of the day.

it was the lunch break

Refers to the specific break period designated for eating lunch.

the clock struck noon

Indicates the exact moment when the time reaches twelve o'clock, commonly associated with the start of lunch.

they broke for lunch

Describes the action of pausing activities to have lunch.

people were having lunch

Focuses on the activity of eating lunch, indicating it's the appropriate time.

FAQs

What does "it was lunchtime" mean?

The phrase "it was lunchtime" indicates that it was the time of day when people typically eat lunch, around the middle of the day.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it was lunchtime"?

Use "it was lunchtime" to set the scene in a narrative or describe a past event that occurred during the midday meal period.

What can I say instead of "it was lunchtime"?

You can use alternatives like "it was noon", "it was time for lunch", or "lunchtime had arrived" depending on the context.

Is "it is lunchtime" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is lunchtime" is grammatically correct but refers to the present moment. Use "it was lunchtime" when referring to a time in the past.