simply a dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply a dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to downplay the significance of a dinner event, suggesting that it is just an ordinary meal without any special implications. Example: "Don't worry about dressing up; it's simply a dinner with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And if it was simply a dinner for two, a frittata and a salad with a mustard vinaigrette would be enough work.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ross knows that simply turning a dinner party into a buffet supper, for example, might turn a gassy and talky piece into something credible.

The New York Times - Books

Take note of the little things she likes to do, whether it's hiking, music or simply cooking a dinner together at home.

Huffington Post

When I go to my friend's house in Scarsdale, whether for a Jewish holiday or simply a Friday night dinner, I know I'll encounter love.

Huffington Post

According to Isaacson (who lands at No. 1 this week), Jobs met a pretty blond Penn undergraduate identified simply as "Jennifer Egan" at a dinner party in Silicon Valley in 1983, and fell madly in love.

The New York Times - Books

Certainly, anyone who has read P&P (especially recently) will appreciate this work even more (the servants rush around doing work when in Austen's novel there is simply the pleasure of a dinner party) and it's amusing to know how exhausted and relieved the help is when the family goes out for an evening.

Huffington Post

"A dinner party is, very simply, the selection of guests," Ms. Brandolini says in the book, a point I would not dispute.

The New York Times - Style

Two splendid days they were, in which friends came and went, staying for lunch, dinner, or simply a glass of something pleasing as Arlott talked about the things that intelligent people like to talk about.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, smile politely and say more of, "I had a simply delightful French dinner and read up on my history".

WikiHow

By Wednesday morning, staffers were chucking plans for catch-up time with family, romantic Valentine's Day dinners, or simply a good night's sleep.

The Economist

Whether you are playing a game, watching a movie, or simply having a family dinner, as long as you are all together, this time has not been wasted.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply a dinner" to downplay the significance of a meal, suggesting it is informal and requires no special preparation or formality.

Common error

Avoid using "simply a dinner" when the context requires a more descriptive or appreciative tone. Overusing 'simply' can make the dinner seem unimportant or undervalued.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply a dinner" functions as a noun phrase, where "simply" modifies the noun phrase "a dinner". The function is to describe the dinner in a basic and unremarkable way. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "simply a dinner" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to downplay the significance of a meal, suggesting informality. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its usage is relatively rare, primarily found in news and media sources and wikis. While the phrase is functional, it is important to avoid overuse and consider more descriptive language when the context calls for a more appreciative or elevated tone. The alternative phrases are "just a dinner", "a casual dinner" and "an informal dinner".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a dinner

Replaces 'simply' with 'just' to indicate a basic or ordinary meal.

merely a dinner

Uses 'merely' to emphasize the lack of importance or complexity of the dinner.

a casual dinner

Highlights the informal nature of the dinner.

an informal dinner

Similar to 'casual dinner', emphasizing the relaxed atmosphere.

a basic dinner

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of extravagance in the meal.

a straightforward dinner

Emphasizes the uncomplicated nature of the dinner arrangement.

just a meal

Broader term that refers to any kind of eating context and does not refers to dinner

a modest dinner

Emphasizes the humble or unpretentious nature of the dinner.

a simple supper

Uses 'supper' as a synonym for dinner, suggesting a lighter or less formal meal.

a humble repast

Replaces 'dinner' with 'repast' to refer to food or a meal.

FAQs

What does "simply a dinner" mean?

The phrase "simply a dinner" means just a regular, uncomplicated meal, without any special significance or formality.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "simply a dinner"?

It's appropriate to use "simply a dinner" when you want to downplay the importance or complexity of a meal, such as when inviting someone over casually or describing an ordinary evening.

What can I say instead of "simply a dinner"?

You can use alternatives like "just a dinner", "a casual dinner", or "an informal dinner" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "just a dinner" instead of "simply a dinner"?

Yes, "just a dinner" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used alternative to "simply a dinner" with a very similar meaning.