summon to dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "summon to dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inviting someone to join for a meal, particularly in a formal or traditional context. Example: "I will summon my family to dinner at six o'clock sharp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

DeHaan is summoned to dinner by his employers.

The New York Times - Books

But on the second night I was summoned to dinner with Mr. New York Eats.

The New York Times

He is summoned to dinner with Thomas More, smooth, cosmopolitan, serpentine – anything but saintly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was understood that one would take a cocktail in the Red Room before the servants came with the summons to dinner.

The New York Times

After guests were summoned to dinner by the banging of a gong and the slow handclap that traditionally greets the top table at these formal dinners, Bailey took his seat beside John McFarlane, the chairman of Barclays.

The Guardian - Business

Summoned to dinner in the luxurious and graceful Goring hotel in the shadow of Buckingham Palace, the HSBC chief executive's 37-year globe-trotting career was about to come to a close.

The Guardian - Business

Ms. Lynch discussed the menu with us in a sitting room dominated by a portrait of Oscar Wilde and brought us our wine while we awaited our summons to dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

That is, it helps to be "the flavor of the month," the band everyone's talking about, the band that gets summoned to dinner (as happened on Friday night) by Seymour Stein, the founder of Sire Records It also helps to be the kind of band that's determined to turn a week of music-biz overload into yet another weird adventure.

The New York Times - Arts

After years of watching his antics in various public places, I was reluctant to accept his first summons to dinner.

Los Angeles Times

Summoned to dinner by her clingy boyfriend Abe, who seems a little too concerned by Peggy's joshingly familiar relationship with male co-workers, our workaholic young heroine at first worries that he's going to break up with her, only to be convinced by Joan that he probably wants to propose.

Huffington Post

Each detail down to the music used to summon guests to dinner was painstakingly researched and debated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "summon to dinner" to create a sense of formality or authority. It implies more than a simple invitation; it suggests a command or expectation of presence.

Common error

Avoid using "summon to dinner" in casual settings. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious when a simple "invite" or "call" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "summon to dinner" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate a formal or authoritative invitation to a meal. As the Ludwig AI explains, it’s a correct and usable phrase, but not as common as alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "summon to dinner" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon way to invite someone to a meal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, yet it carries a degree of formality and authority. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a traditional or sophisticated setting. Alternatives like "invite to dinner" or "call to dinner" are more commonplace for everyday use. Use "summon to dinner" when aiming for a formal or emphatic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call to dinner

Uses a more common verb, "call", instead of "summon", making it slightly less formal.

invite to dinner

Replaces "summon" with "invite", indicating a less authoritative or formal request.

ask to come to dinner

More descriptive and less direct than "summon to dinner".

request their presence at dinner

Very formal and polite way of inviting someone to dinner.

call one to the dinner table

Emphasizes the location of the dinner, using the common phrase "dinner table".

gather for dinner

Focuses on the action of people coming together rather than being summoned.

beckon to dinner

Implies a silent or subtle invitation, less forceful than "summon".

give the dinner call

Highlights the act of announcing that dinner is ready.

request to join for dinner

Formal and courteous invitation, suitable for polite requests.

notify that dinner is served

Formal announcement that dinner is ready and available.

FAQs

What does "summon to dinner" mean?

"Summon to dinner" means to formally call or invite someone to come to the dinner table. It suggests a degree of authority or expectation.

When is it appropriate to use "summon to dinner"?

It is most appropriate in formal settings or when you want to emphasize the importance of attending dinner. Consider alternatives like "invite to dinner" or "call to dinner" for less formal situations.

What are some alternatives to "summon to dinner"?

Alternatives include "invite to dinner", "call to dinner", or "ask to come to dinner", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "summon to dinner" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "summon to dinner" is not as common as other phrases like "invite to dinner" or "call to dinner". It carries a more formal and authoritative tone.