nice lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nice lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever you want to describe a lunch that was enjoyable, pleasant, or of good quality. Example: "We had a nice lunch at the new Italian restaurant down the street. The pasta was delicious and the atmosphere was lovely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nice as pie: a charitable view of cheating On Wednesday I was taken for a very nice lunch in London by an Independent reader, Peter Spence.

Independent

I wanted to give you a nice lunch".

The New Yorker

Learn about each appellation, or just enjoy a nice lunch.

The Guardian - Travel

He offered to take Jordan out to a nice lunch, and the next day Jordan took a nice lunch to Leftwich.

The New York Times - Sports

A couple of hours later, we'll find somewhere to have a nice lunch.

The New York Times

She and I had a nice lunch to talk about my book.

The New Yorker

The agent added jovially: "I had a nice lunch with him before Christmas and hopefully he will take me for another nice lunch soon.

The Guardian - Sport

We roll in brown and green hues to a nice lunch in the hills.

The Guardian - Tech

"Ted took me to a nice lunch in the Senate dining room," he said.

The New York Times

"There's really no downside to it," he said, and "there's a nice lunch and you don't have to speak".

The New York Times

The Windies, on the other hand, appear to be eyeing up a nice lunch and a sit-down.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal audience, consider alternatives like "pleasant lunch" or specifying what made the lunch enjoyable (e.g., "a lunch featuring excellent local cuisine").

Common error

Avoid using "nice lunch" in professional or academic contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound too casual. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives depending on your specific requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nice lunch" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "nice" modifies the noun "lunch". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes a positive attribute of the noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nice lunch" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an enjoyable midday meal. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for everyday conversations and casual writing. While versatile, its informal tone makes it less appropriate for professional or academic contexts. For those instances, alternatives like "pleasant lunch" or "enjoyable lunch" might be more fitting. The prevalence of "nice lunch" in news and lifestyle content, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, highlights its role in describing dining experiences and social outings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleasant lunch

Replaces "nice" with a synonym conveying a similar sense of enjoyment.

enjoyable lunch

Focuses on the positive experience of the lunch.

lovely lunch

Offers a slightly more affectionate or charming tone.

delightful lunch

Emphasizes the high level of pleasure experienced.

agreeable lunch

Highlights the satisfying or pleasing nature of the meal.

satisfying lunch

Emphasizes the fulfillment derived from the lunch.

delicious lunch

Focuses specifically on the taste and quality of the food.

good lunch

A more general and simple alternative.

fine lunch

Suggests a lunch of high quality or sophistication.

wonderful lunch

Expresses a strong positive sentiment about the lunch experience.

FAQs

How can I use "nice lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "nice lunch" to describe a pleasant midday meal, such as "We had a "nice lunch" at the new café" or "I'm looking forward to a "nice lunch" with my friends".

What are some alternatives to "nice lunch"?

You can use alternatives like "pleasant lunch", "enjoyable lunch", or "delightful lunch" to describe a positive lunchtime experience.

Is "nice lunch" too informal for professional emails?

Yes, "nice lunch" is generally considered informal. In professional emails, consider using more formal alternatives or providing more specific details about the meal. For example, you could say "We had a productive meeting over lunch" or "The luncheon was very informative".

What makes a lunch "nice"?

A "nice lunch" generally refers to a lunch that is enjoyable and pleasant. This could be due to the quality of the food, the company, the atmosphere, or a combination of these factors.