stopped for lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

"stopped for lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a verb phrase to indicate that someone has taken a break from a task or activity to eat a meal. Example: After walking for hours, the hikers stopped for lunch at a scenic overlook to refuel and rest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then they had stopped for lunch.

The New Yorker

The ladies had stopped for lunch.

The New Yorker

At 4,700m, we stopped for lunch.

The Guardian - Travel

They stopped for lunch at a small inn.

The New Yorker

We stopped for lunch at a little French bistro.

The New York Times - Magazine

We stopped for lunch in a sheltered bay.

The Guardian - Travel

We stopped for lunch by a stunning holy lake, Yamdrok Tso, nestled high in the mountains.

The New York Times

Later that day, we dismounted from the elephants and stopped for lunch.

The New York Times

Then to Union Square where he stopped for lunch at an Automat.

The New Yorker

On Monday afternoon, Clinton stopped for lunch at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Maumee, Ohio.

The Guardian

We stopped for lunch at a favourite place of Seamus's called Moran's.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopped for lunch" to clearly indicate a pause in an activity for the purpose of eating lunch. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who or what "stopped for lunch". Avoid sentences where it's unclear whether the subject or someone/something else paused for lunch. For example, instead of "The tour stopped for lunch", specify "The tourists stopped for lunch".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped for lunch" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken (stopping) for a specific purpose (having lunch). Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stopped for lunch" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone has paused an activity to eat lunch. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Primarily found in news and media sources, it serves a neutral communicative function. Consider alternatives like "took a lunch break" or "broke for lunch" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what stopped for lunch to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paused to have lunch

A slightly more verbose way of saying "stopped for lunch".

broke for lunch

Emphasizes interrupting an activity for lunch.

had a lunch break

Simple substitution of "stopped" with "had".

took a lunch break

Focuses on the break aspect rather than the specific action of stopping.

interrupted activity for lunch

Highlights the disruption of an activity.

took time out to eat lunch

Emphasizes the allocation of time for lunch.

paused for a midday meal

More formal and emphasizes the meal itself.

halted for a bite

Informal, suggests a quick meal.

grabbed some lunch

Indicates a casual and quick lunch.

enjoyed a midday repast

A more refined and elevated way of saying "stopped for lunch".

FAQs

How do I use "stopped for lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "stopped for lunch" to indicate that someone or a group paused their activity to eat lunch. For example, "After hiking for three hours, we stopped for lunch by the lake."

What are some alternatives to "stopped for lunch"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "took a lunch break", "broke for lunch", or "paused to have lunch".

Is it grammatically correct to say "stopped for lunch"?

Yes, "stopped for lunch" is grammatically correct. It follows a standard verb + prepositional phrase structure and is widely accepted in English.

What's the difference between "stopped for lunch" and "had lunch"?

"Stopped for lunch" implies a break or pause in an activity to eat lunch, whereas "had lunch" simply means that lunch was eaten, without necessarily implying an interruption of something else.