sample a dish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sample a dish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to trying or tasting a particular food item, often in a culinary context or at a food event. Example: "At the food festival, attendees were encouraged to sample a dish from each of the participating restaurants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Karlsson insisted that I sample a dish from his much more elaborate dinner menu.

The New York Times - Food

Sample a dish of the typical mole sauce, which comes in seven variations, plus infinite minor tweaks.

Los Angeles Times

If you'd like to sample a dish typical for the region you might go with "Schäufle mit Brägele" [pron: Shoifle met Breegele], which is cured and cooked pork shoulder with fried potatoes.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Soon they were sampling a dish I had ordered and I was tasting their wine.

The New Yorker

I also sampled a dish from the "Top of the Catch" section, which included a fresh-as-the-sea Florida red snapper with a tomato velouté ($32).

Huffington Post

For example, waiting restaurant customers can be provided a sample of a dish (i.e., related filler) or a television to watch (i.e., unrelated filler).

Fashion and Textiles

"Noodles are one of the great Thai secular religions," wrote the longtime Thailand food critic Ung-aang Talay, adding that Thais think nothing of plodding across Bangkok to sample a new dish.

The New York Times - Travel

In a beloved episode of CNN's "Parts Unknown," Anthony Bourdain sits down on a busy city street in Vietnam to sample Cơm hến, a dish made with clams and rice.

Huffington Post

Don't be afraid to sample a similar sounding dish in different restaurants: The local chefs are imaginative with their sauces.

Forbes

Incidentally, if the two traveling statesmen were hungry, they might sample a local curry dish which, replacing chipattis with basmati rice, has been named "Condoleezza Rice".

Forbes

The combination platters are the best way to sample a range of dishes and are the best values by a stretch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a culinary experience, use "sample a dish" to convey the idea of trying a small portion for evaluation or enjoyment. For example, "The food critic was invited to "sample a dish" from the new chef's menu."

Common error

While "sample a dish" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very formal writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "partake of" or "experience the flavors of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sample a dish" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase. It's used to describe the action of trying a small portion of food, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. It describes what the subject did in the sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sample a dish" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the act of trying a small portion of food for evaluation or enjoyment. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression is prevalent in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to avoid overuse in highly formal settings. When it comes to alternatives, phrases like "taste a dish" or "try a dish" provide interchangeable options. Ultimately, mastering the nuances of "sample a dish" enhances clarity and precision in culinary descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taste a dish

Replaces "sample" with "taste", emphasizing the act of experiencing the flavor.

try a dish

Uses "try" instead of "sample", suggesting an attempt to experience the dish.

have a taste of a dish

Adds "have a taste of", making the phrase slightly more descriptive.

try out a dish

Adds "out" after "try", slightly altering the nuance to suggest experimentation.

partake of a dish

Replaces "sample" with "partake of", a more formal and less common alternative.

experience a dish

Focuses on the overall experience of consuming the dish.

savor a dish

Emphasizes enjoying the flavors of the dish.

test a dish

Suggests a more formal or critical evaluation of the dish.

explore a dish

Implies a deeper investigation of the dish's components and flavors.

assess a dish

Emphasizes evaluating the quality and characteristics of the dish.

FAQs

What does "sample a dish" mean?

To "sample a dish" means to try a small portion of food, often to assess its flavor or quality. It suggests a deliberate act of tasting for evaluation or enjoyment.

What can I say instead of "sample a dish"?

You can use alternatives like "taste a dish", "try a dish", or "have a taste of a dish" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sampling a dish"?

Yes, "sampling a dish" is grammatically correct. It is the gerund form of the verb, often used to describe the action of sampling in progress, or as a noun. For example: "Sampling a dish is a great way to explore new cuisines."

What is the difference between "sample a dish" and "eat a dish"?

"Sample a dish" implies trying a small portion, often for evaluation. "Eat a dish" suggests consuming the entire dish as a meal.