main course with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main course with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a dish or meal that includes a main course along with additional items or accompaniments. Example: "For dinner, I ordered the grilled salmon as my main course with a side of asparagus and mashed potatoes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

In this case, one starter, two pasta dishes and one main course with two side dishes (one is included in the mains price).

Independent

Serve as a canapé or snack, or as a main course with some sticky rice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The extra treats continued after the main course with mango sorbet and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

The New York Times

Main Course With Manuscript Location can be everything in publishing, too.

The New York Times

Maruca served our main course with a basket of her chewy homemade tortillas.

The New York Times - Travel

This starchy theme continues into the main course, with a superb mofongo al pilón.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

His wide-ranging menu proposes 10 entrees (as appetizers are called in Australia) and 10 main courses, with vegetarian dishes by request.

The New York Times - Travel

The entree-like appetizers and main courses with potatoes, vegetables and who knows what are the stuff of Jewish grandmother legends.

The New York Times

I didn't say that, did I? Tell me, though, why does your kitchen sabotage even its more appealing main courses with ruinous sides and sauces?

The New York Times - Food

His sliced leg of lamb ($18), served like all the main courses with roasted potatoes and sauteed broccoli rape, is past the point of pink, but the sauce, simply lamb juices and herbs, imbues the meat with flavor.

The New York Times

Most of the starters are so ample they could do double duty as a main course -- with perhaps the addition of a salad -- thus saving room for one of the scrumptious desserts, with a tab substantially lower than a full meal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a multi-course meal, use "main course with" to clearly specify the central dish and its accompanying elements. For instance, "The dinner included a vegetarian lasagna as the "main course with" a side salad and garlic bread".

Common error

Avoid substituting "with" with prepositions like "of" or "by", as this alters the intended meaning. Saying "main course of vegetables" changes the focus from accompaniment to composition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main course with" serves as a noun phrase that functions to identify the central component of a meal, specifying what accompanies it. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is both grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main course with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a central dish along with its accompaniments. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. While alternatives like /s/entree+accompanied+by exist, "main course with" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication styles. Remember to use "with" correctly to indicate accompaniment and avoid misinterpreting the phrase's meaning. Its frequency suggests that it's an effective way to convey meal composition clearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main dish served with

Uses "main dish" instead of "main course", providing a more casual alternative; "served with" directly indicates the accompaniment.

main fare with

Replaces "course" with "fare", making it slightly less formal, but retaining the overall meaning.

featured dish with

Highlights the dish as the "featured" part of the meal, maintaining a straightforward and neutral tone.

entree accompanied by

Replaces "main course" with "entree", which can be considered a slightly more formal term, while maintaining the idea of accompaniment.

chief course including

Replaces "main" with "chief" to signify importance, and uses "including" to specify what the main course comes with.

primary course complemented by

Substitutes "main" with "primary" and "with" with "complemented by", offering a refined, slightly elevated tone.

substantial dish paired with

Describes the dish as "substantial", highlighting its filling nature; "paired with" emphasizes a deliberate matching of flavors.

plat principal with

Uses the French term "plat principal", lending a sophisticated nuance, while still expressing the core concept.

centerpiece dish alongside

Emphasizes the importance of the main dish using "centerpiece", and "alongside" indicates items served with it.

heart of the meal alongside

Uses metaphorical language to describe the "heart of the meal" as the main component, with "alongside" indicating accompanying items.

FAQs

How can I use "main course with" in a sentence?

Use "main course with" to describe a central dish accompanied by sides. For example, "I ordered the steak as my "main course with" mashed potatoes and green beans".

What is a more formal alternative to "main course with"?

A more formal alternative is /s/entree+accompanied+by, which sounds more sophisticated in a formal dining context.

Is there a difference between "main course with" and "main dish with"?

The terms are largely interchangeable, but /s/main+dish+with might sound slightly less formal than "main course with".

Can I use "main course with" to describe a buffet?

Yes, you can use "main course with" to describe a significant dish in a buffet setting. For example, "The buffet included roast beef as the "main course with" a variety of salads and side dishes".