over dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the context in which something is happening or something that is being discussed. For example, "We discussed our plans for next year over dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Better yet, listen over dinner.

Huffington Post

So how did Indomie take over dinner tables in Nigeria?

Vice

There's another consideration my son Ben raised over dinner.

Huffington Post

Over dinner, Charlie was charming.

The New Yorker

Over dinner at T.G.I.

The New Yorker

Maybe over dinner.

The New York Times

Over dinner, we begin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But over dinner, he found out otherwise.

The New York Times

Not even over dinner?" Hannity persisted.

The New Yorker

I probably did it over dinner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This makes a great left-over dinner.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over dinner" to naturally integrate context into your sentences. For example, "We finalized the deal over dinner" flows better than "We finalized the deal. This happened over dinner."

Common error

Avoid using "over dinner" if the dinner setting is irrelevant to the main point. If the location isn't important, a simpler phrase like "during the discussion" may be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over dinner" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the time and setting in which an action occurs, specifying that something happened during the course of a dinner. As Ludwig AI reports, this phrase is grammatically sound and versatile.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over dinner" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify that an event or conversation took place during the course of having dinner. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It is frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To enhance your writing, use "over dinner" to smoothly integrate context into your sentences, but avoid it if the dinner setting isn't relevant. Alternatives include "during dinner" or "at the dinner table", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

During dinner

Specifies the timeframe more directly, without necessarily implying the activity happened because of or during the dinner itself.

At the dinner table

Emphasizes the location of the event or conversation.

While having dinner

Highlights the concurrent action of eating dinner.

During the dinner

A more formal way of specifying the time context.

In the course of dinner

Similar to 'during dinner' but slightly more formal and literary.

Around the dinner table

Similar to "at the dinner table" but emphasizes the gathering aspect.

With dinner

Shortened form emphasizing the accompaniment of dinner.

While dining

Focuses on the act of dining as the context.

During a meal

Generalizes the context to any meal, not specifically dinner.

As we dined

A more narrative and descriptive way of setting the scene.

FAQs

How can I use "over dinner" in a sentence?

Use "over dinner" to indicate that a conversation, event, or decision occurred during a dinner. For example, "They discussed the project "over dinner"".

What are some alternatives to saying "over dinner"?

You can use alternatives like "during dinner", "at the dinner table", or "while having dinner" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "over dinner"?

Yes, "over dinner" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something happened during a dinner.

What's the difference between "over dinner" and "during dinner"?

"Over dinner" often implies a more casual and conversational setting, while "during dinner" is a more general time reference. The choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.