until this dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until this dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame leading up to a specific dinner event. Example: "I have been looking forward to this dinner until this dinner finally arrives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So I went twenty years free of those" — he paused for maximum profane effect — "fuckers until this dinner party, a fancy one, and there they were, right under my nose.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

From now until the dinner, not a carbohydrate must pass my lips.

The Guardian - Books

Until that dinner I thought Michael's prided itself on produce.

The New York Times - Food

They didn't find me until the dinner party was over and they were vacuuming.

The New York Times

At her sister's wedding, alas, the cookies were not to appear until the dinner hour.

The New York Times

Try and wait until the dinner phase of the reception has wound down enough to get ready for the speeches.

WikiHow

He spent the mornings in bed writing letters, slept after lunch until five, drank until dinner, and then played bridge with the tattered remnants of the English colony, relics of the golden period called "before the war".

The New Yorker

Have good carbohydrates for your lunch, as this will fuel you through until your dinner, so you don't need to snack unhealthily through the rest if the day.

WikiHow

It remains there until after dinner.

The New York Times

I forgot to do it until after dinner.

The New York Times

And at another pool, Erin Barre, 38, told her four children to put their treats in the clubhouse until after dinner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until this dinner", ensure the context clearly establishes the dinner as a specific, significant event. This helps to provide a clear temporal reference point.

Common error

Avoid using "until this dinner" when you actually mean "during the dinner". "Until" implies a point in time before the event, not the event itself. If something happens during the dinner, use "at" or "during" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until this dinner" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a time limit or duration before a particular dinner event. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase sets a temporal boundary.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until this dinner" is a prepositional phrase used to define a timeframe that extends up to a particular dinner event. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. However, its frequency is relatively rare, often appearing in news articles and general writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly identifies the dinner as a specific event. While grammatically sound, alternatives like "before this dinner" or "leading up to this dinner" might provide better clarity depending on the intended nuance. Use caution not to use this phrase when you intend to describe an event taking place during dinner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up until this dinner

Similar to the original but with a slightly different emphasis.

before this dinner

A simple and direct way to indicate a time before the dinner.

until the start of this dinner

Indicates the termination point right at the dinner's beginning.

leading up to this dinner

Emphasizes the period before the dinner.

prior to this dinner

A more formal way of saying before this dinner.

in the time leading up to this dinner

Highlights the time frame before the dinner event.

in advance of this dinner

Highlights acting or preparing before the dinner event.

in anticipation of this dinner

Focuses on the expectation and preparation for the dinner.

until the commencement of this dinner

A very formal and precise way of saying until the dinner starts.

by the time this dinner occurred

Indicates a completion point, looking back from the event itself.

FAQs

How can I use "until this dinner" in a sentence?

Use "until this dinner" to indicate a duration or state leading up to a specific dinner event. For example, "I was extremely busy with work until this dinner" suggests your workload lessened once the dinner arrived.

What's a more formal way to say "until this dinner"?

A more formal alternative is "prior to this dinner". It conveys the same temporal relationship but with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "I will wait until this dinner"?

While grammatically correct, it might sound slightly awkward. Consider rephrasing to "I will wait "until the dinner"" or "I will wait "before dinner"" for improved clarity.

What is the difference between "until this dinner" and "after this dinner"?

"Until this dinner" refers to the time before the dinner event, whereas "after this dinner" refers to the time following the dinner. They indicate opposite temporal relationships.