past dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time that occurs after the dinner meal has taken place. Example: "We can meet for coffee past dinner if that works for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I was determined to keep watch and to satisfy myself that he did not stay past dinner.

The New Yorker

"Married men, when they're out past dinner time, will call home," he said.

The New York Times

"Those of us in the magazine world are here past dinner, and then by the time we leave are far too tired to go out drinking.

The New York Times

He's in their home tidying up long past dinner, then sneaks off for what he considers his private time, about which he brooks no questions.

The New Yorker

Even by the grueling standards of corporate law firms, Mr. Block is known for keeping some of the longest hours in the business, arriving at the office at 6 30 a.m. and working long past dinner time.

The New York Times

Start out at Globe (3455, boulevard Saint-Laurent; 514-284-3823; www.restaurantglore.com) or Buonanotte (3518, boulevard Saint-Laurent; 514-848-0644; whereuonanotte.com), where scantily clad waitresses squeeze past dinner plates autographed by George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and other celebrity patrons.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Past dinners out have invariably resulted in a whopping bill shared 50-50.

The New York Times

On MSNBC, this meant red-carpet arrivals, in-depth historical analysis of past dinners, and morning-after post-mortems by network news stars wearing sunglasses on camera (just like Hollywood!).

The New York Times

Jeff Mason, president of the WHCA, opened the event by acknowledging the contrast with past dinners. .

Huffington Post

Although Abramović created uncanny artworks under the label of "Spirit Cooking" in the past, the dinner in question was simply that ― dinner. .

Huffington Post

In the microgravity of orbit, such a trajectory would send the spiders soaring past their dinner.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "past dinner" when you want to indicate a time frame after the dinner meal has concluded, especially when describing events or activities that occur later in the evening.

Common error

Avoid using "past dinner" interchangeably with precise times. It is best used for general indications of when something occurs relative to dinner, not as a substitute for specific clock times.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past dinner" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time frame that occurs after the dinner meal. It often serves as an adverbial modifier, specifying when an action or event takes place. Ludwig's examples show its prevalent use in describing schedules, work habits, and social activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Tech

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "past dinner" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote a time after the dinner meal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and its primary function is to establish a temporal reference point. While "past dinner" is not as common as alternatives like "after dinner", it is generally well-understood and appropriate for various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, and its neutral register makes it suitable for both professional and informal communication. When using "past dinner", remember that it's best for general time indications rather than precise times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after dinner

This is the most direct and semantically similar alternative, simply replacing "past" with "after".

following dinner

Similar to "after dinner", this option uses "following" to indicate the time period succeeding the meal.

post-dinner

This uses a prefix to create a single word indicating the time after dinner.

beyond dinner

This emphasizes exceeding the usual dinner time, implying lateness.

later than dinner

This is a more descriptive alternative, specifying that the time is later relative to the dinner meal.

once dinner is over

This alternative focuses on the completion of the dinner activity as a point of reference.

subsequent to dinner

This is a more formal way of saying "after dinner", using more sophisticated vocabulary.

when dinner has concluded

Similar to "once dinner is over" but more formal.

after the evening meal

Replaces "dinner" with a more descriptive phrase, making it suitable for contexts where precision is needed.

exceeding dinner time

This focuses on the action exceeding the scheduled dinner time, emphasizing the extended duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "past dinner" to indicate a time after the dinner meal, for example: "We can discuss the project "past dinner", around 8 PM." or "The meeting ran "past dinner", so I ordered takeout."

What are some alternatives to using "past dinner"?

Alternatives include "after dinner", "following dinner", or "beyond dinner", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is "past dinner" grammatically correct?

Yes, "past dinner" is a grammatically sound phrase and is generally understood in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

What's the difference between "past dinner" and "after dinner"?

While both phrases indicate a time subsequent to the dinner meal, "past dinner" may subtly imply a slightly later time, whereas "after dinner" is a more neutral and direct indication of the time following the meal.