prepare dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

'prepare dinner' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to refer to the process of cooking a meal for dinner. For example: "I'd like to offer to prepare dinner for you this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She could barely make herself prepare dinner.

The New Yorker

We set the table and prepare dinner.

The Guardian - Opinion

She had to go home, she said, to prepare dinner.

The New Yorker

Caitlin and Delilah prepare dinner for the family.

The New Yorker

Around five o'clock each afternoon, she goes downstairs to prepare dinner.

The New Yorker

When she returns home she finds Gladstone preparing to prepare dinner.

The New Yorker

Then she asked if I wanted her to prepare dinner, for an additional 40 dollars.

The New York Times

A "DEBRAINER" sounds like something Hannibal Lecter might use to prepare dinner.

The Economist

She's bound to be here by then, though, to prepare dinner".

The New Yorker

I started to prepare dinner, not even considering the possibility that Jeff might provide fresh fish.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Easy-to-prepare dinner options include packaged goat cheese ravioli and sauces (prices vary).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific context. Use "prepare dinner" when you want to emphasize the planning and organization involved in making the meal.

Common error

While "prepare dinner" is grammatically correct, it can sound slightly formal in casual settings. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "make dinner" or "cook dinner" when conversing with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prepare dinner" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of making a meal for the evening. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prepare dinner" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of making a meal for the evening. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "prepare dinner" and more casual alternatives like "cook dinner" or "make dinner". Remember to tailor your language to suit the situation, and you'll always be serving up the perfect phrase!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cook dinner

Focuses on the act of cooking, synonymous with preparing.

make dinner

Emphasizes the creation of the meal, similar in meaning.

get dinner ready

Highlights the completion of the meal preparation.

fix dinner

Informal term for preparing dinner.

arrange dinner

Suggests planning and organizing the dinner.

put dinner together

Emphasizes combining ingredients to make the meal.

whip up dinner

Implies preparing dinner quickly and easily.

see to dinner

Focuses on ensuring dinner is taken care of.

get cracking on dinner

Indicates starting the dinner preparation process.

oversee dinner preparation

Focuses on supervising the cooking of dinner.

FAQs

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

You can use "prepare dinner" in a variety of sentences, such as: "I need to prepare dinner before the guests arrive", or "She volunteered to prepare dinner for the family tonight".

What is a more casual way to say "prepare dinner"?

In more casual contexts, you can use phrases like "make dinner" or "cook dinner". These alternatives are less formal and more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Is there a difference between "prepare dinner" and "make dinner"?

While both phrases are very similar, "prepare dinner" can sometimes imply a more elaborate or planned approach to the meal, whereas "make dinner" is generally a more straightforward term for cooking a meal.

What does it mean to "whip up dinner"?

To "whip up dinner" means to prepare a meal quickly and easily, often with whatever ingredients are readily available.