setting out for dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "setting out for dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is leaving their current location to go to a place where they will have dinner. Example: "After a long day at work, we are finally setting out for dinner at our favorite restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We set out for dinner one night bound for a restaurant and art gallery west of the Hilton.

The Washington Post

Tom Glavine set out for dinner with his wife, Christine, last night in Atlanta, with their future on the menu.

The New York Times - Sports

After pummeling myself with water jets and flipping through a book I had bought at Artists & Authors, Marblehead's first-rate store for used and rare books, I set out for dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

One evening in 1989, in the quiet town of St .Joseph, Minnesota, Patty and Jerry Wetterling set out for dinner at a friend's house, leaving their eleven-year-old son, Jacob, at home with two of his siblings and a friend.

The New Yorker

In essence, Irene will explain the day's timetable by saying the same thing three times, very slowly ('Tonight we will meet at 7.30 in the lobby. This evening we will gather at half past seven at the front desk. We will set out for dinner at 7.30. Meet me here, in reception') and we will set off behind her, like an obedient army of ants.

The Guardian - Travel

We settled into our hotel room and then set out for dinner at a local Applebee's.

Vice

Before setting out for the dinner, he insisted to me that he wasn't, and that, in any case, reporters had misinterpreted his relationship with the Texan.

The New Yorker

Check if they have anything they want out of their bags BEFORE you put them away for the night like teddies, makeup, food, health requirements, etc. Set out the table for dinner and give them lots of time to finish their meal.

WikiHow

On Thursday evening, as many set out for the customary Valentine's Day dinner in the nation's capital, several hundred men, women and children gathered at Parliament Street for an unorthodox celebration: a movement using music and dance to oppose violence against women.

The New York Times

You set out for India.

Forbes

So after unpacking we set out on foot for dinner through the rapidly cooling evening air.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "setting out for dinner" to clearly indicate the act of beginning a journey or departure with the specific purpose of having dinner, distinguishing it from merely having dinner at a known location.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid using "setting out for dinner" in highly formal documents. Opt for more direct phrases like "attending a dinner" or "proceeding to dinner" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setting out for dinner" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the commencement of a journey or departure with the specific purpose of having dinner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "setting out for dinner" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of commencing a journey with the intention of having dinner. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both casual and professional communication, though more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain contexts. While relatively less frequent, the phrase is found across diverse sources, including news, media, and general writing. Remember to consider context and formality when choosing between "setting out for dinner" and its alternatives such as ""heading out for dinner"" or "going to dinner".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Heading out for dinner

Similar meaning, emphasizing the act of leaving to have dinner.

Leaving for dinner

Focuses on the departure aspect, less emphasis on planning.

Going out to eat

More general, doesn't specify the departure point.

Going to dinner

Simple and direct, lacks the sense of beginning a journey.

Off to dinner

Informal, implies excitement or anticipation.

Departing for supper

More formal, replaces "dinner" with "supper".

Making our way to dinner

Emphasizes the journey or process of getting to dinner.

On our way to dinner

Indicates being in transit to the dinner location.

About to leave for dinner

Focuses on the imminence of departure.

Embarking on a dinner outing

More elaborate, suggests a planned and special occasion.

FAQs

How to use "setting out for dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "setting out for dinner" to describe the act of starting a journey to a place where you will have dinner. For example, "After a long day, we are "heading out for dinner"".

What can I say instead of "setting out for dinner"?

You can use alternatives like ""heading out for dinner"", "leaving for dinner", or "going out to eat" depending on the context.

Is "setting out for dinner" formal or informal?

"Setting out for dinner" is generally considered neutral in tone. While suitable for everyday conversation, more formal contexts might benefit from phrases like "proceeding to dinner".

What's the difference between "setting out for dinner" and "going to dinner"?

"Setting out for dinner" implies the act of starting a journey or leaving a location with the specific intention of having dinner. "Going to dinner" is more general and simply indicates the act of attending a dinner, without necessarily specifying the starting point or journey.