we have dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "we have dinner" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a group of people will be having dinner together, but it can also be used to refer to an individual's regular mealtime. Example: "We have dinner together every night as a family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We have dinner.

The New York Times - Sports

We have dinner and receptions.

The New York Times

That's why we have dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We have dinner reservations," he said.

The New Yorker

We have dinner at 7 or 8 at night.

The New York Times

Bryn sits in her highchair and we have dinner together.

The New York Times

DINING IN We have dinner at home at 6 30.

The New York Times

"So, listen," Maxine continues, "why don't we have dinner tonight.

The Guardian - Film

Should I cook, or should we have dinner out?

The New Yorker

We have dinner in the wood-panelled dining room.

The Guardian - Travel

"Could we have dinner and talk about something other than your apartment?" he asked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have dinner" when you want to simply state that you and others will be eating dinner, whether it's a regular occurrence or a specific plan.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying solely on "we have dinner" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "we dine" or specifying the type of dinner (e.g., "we enjoy a family dinner").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have dinner" functions as a statement of fact or intent, indicating that a group of people will partake in the evening meal. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage in everyday contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have dinner" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent expression signifying the act of sharing an evening meal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Its function is primarily to inform or arrange a meal, suitable for neutral register across various contexts. While "we have dinner" is widely accepted, users should consider synonyms to avoid repetition. Top sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Huffington Post and Vice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we eat dinner

Focuses on the action of eating rather than the event of having dinner.

we are having dinner

Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize that the dinner is ongoing or planned.

we have supper

Uses the word "supper" which is sometimes used instead of "dinner", especially in some regions.

we dine

A more formal and concise way of saying "we have dinner".

we enjoy dinner

Emphasizes the positive experience of having dinner.

we share a meal

Highlights the communal aspect of eating together.

we partake in dinner

A slightly more formal way of expressing that they are eating dinner.

we sit down to dinner

Emphasizes the act of gathering and preparing to eat.

dinner is served

Indicates that dinner is ready and available.

we break bread

A more figurative and often religious way to describe sharing a meal.

FAQs

How can I use "we have dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "we have dinner" to describe a regular occurrence, such as "We have dinner together every Sunday", or to indicate a plan, such as "We have dinner reservations for 8 PM".

What's a more formal alternative to "we have dinner"?

A more formal alternative to "we have dinner" is "we dine", which sounds more elegant and less conversational.

Is it better to say "we eat dinner" or "we have dinner"?

Both "we eat dinner" and "we have dinner" are correct. "We eat dinner" emphasizes the action of eating, while "we have dinner" focuses on the event itself. The choice depends on the specific context.

Can I use "we have dinner" to invite someone?

While you can use "we have dinner" in the context of an invitation, it's often more direct to ask, "Would you like to have dinner with us?" or suggest, "Let's have dinner together sometime."