time for dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time for dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to inform someone that it is the time of day to have dinner. For example, you could write: "It's time for dinner - let's get the table set!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no time for dinner.

Independent

It was time for dinner.

The New York Times

It's time for dinner".

The New York Times

Then it was time for dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Time for dinner, B's father says.

The New Yorker

It was nearly eight in the evening, time for dinner.

The New Yorker

For the rest of us, it was time for dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Then he stopped and decided it was time for dinner.

The New Yorker

Did he have time for dinner before then?

The New Yorker

After a drink or two, it's time for dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

"We waited a long time for dinner," she said.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time for dinner" when addressing family members or in informal settings to signal the start of the evening meal. For example, "Kids, it's time for dinner, please come to the table."

Common error

Avoid using "time for dinner" in very formal business or professional settings. Instead, opt for phrases like "the dinner service will commence" or "the evening meal is scheduled."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time for dinner" primarily functions as an announcement or invitation. It signals that the designated period for the evening meal has arrived, prompting individuals to partake in it. This is supported by Ludwig examples like "It's time for dinner" and "Then it was time for dinner."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

9%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

Independent

3%

Los Angeles Times

1%

BBC

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time for dinner" is a very common phrase used to announce that the evening meal is ready. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, though more commonly used in informal settings. Semantically related phrases include "dinnertime" and "dinner is served". When writing, avoid using it in overly formal business settings and reserve it for family or casual environments. With a high expert rating of 4.5, it's a reliable and acceptable phrase. Originating primarily from sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, its frequent use ensures clear communication about meal times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dinnertime

A single-word noun referring to the typical hour when dinner is eaten.

dinner's ready

A shortened version to announce that dinner is prepared.

dinner is served

A more formal way to announce that dinner is ready.

it's supper time

Using "supper" instead of "dinner", implying a lighter evening meal.

let's have dinner

An invitation to begin the meal.

time to eat

A general phrase that can apply to any meal, not specifically dinner.

time for the evening meal

A more descriptive and slightly formal alternative.

shall we eat?

A question prompting the start of the meal.

the dinner hour

Focuses on the specific time period allocated for dinner.

it's time to sup

A very formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "time for dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "time for dinner" to announce that the evening meal is ready. For example, "It's "time for dinner", everyone please come to the table".

What are some alternatives to saying "time for dinner"?

Alternatives include "dinnertime", "dinner is served", or "dinner's ready" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "time for dinner" in a formal setting?

In formal settings, it may be more appropriate to use phrases like "the evening meal is served" rather than ""time for dinner"".

What's the difference between "time for dinner" and "time for supper"?

"Dinner" and "supper" can be interchangeable, but "supper" often implies a lighter, more informal meal. Therefore, ""time for dinner"" is generally more versatile, while "time for supper" might be used in specific regional or familial contexts.