we shared a meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we shared a meal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where two or more people ate together, often implying a sense of camaraderie or connection. Example: "After a long day of meetings, we shared a meal at a local restaurant to unwind and discuss our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We shared a meal as perfect strangers and left each other as if we might do it all again the next day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We shared a meal of figs and prosciutto crudo, spaghetti al ragù, with a meaty tomato sauce, and chicken alla diavola, a tiny bird flattened and cooked with plenty of pepper and served with fresh lemon juice.

The New York Times - Travel

He wasn't just a source and a subject in my year-long documentary project about Pentecostal serpent-handling; he was also a friend: We shared a meal at the cafe where members of his family work; he screened videos about himself for me at his house; I once stayed the night on his couch.

The Washington Post

As we shared a meal with one of them, the phone rang.

Huffington Post

During a visit to Maggie in mid-October, we shared a meal with some friends and one of them asked her if she had a favorite class.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But when we share a meal, none of that matters.

Huffington Post

When I protested that we had never shared a meal, he insisted.

HuffPost

Back at the Gardens for Health farm, we shared a delicious (and colorful!) meal with other staff members.

HuffPost

Have you shared a meal with the campers? A. Yes.

The New York Times

They shared a meal in James's hometown.

The New York Times - Sports

In Coober Pedy we share a last meal (pineapple pizza) with Oz-Buser Bill, he with the hearty laugh, that has brightened the journey, and a hat stitched with maps of the world that he hasn't taken off since London.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we shared a meal" to emphasize the communal aspect of eating, highlighting a sense of connection and fellowship among those dining together. It's particularly effective when describing experiences with new acquaintances or in situations where bonding is taking place.

Common error

While generally appropriate, avoid using "we shared a meal" excessively in highly formal reports or business communications. Opt for more neutral phrasing like "we had a meeting over lunch" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we shared a meal" functions as a narrative device to describe a past event where multiple people ate together. It highlights the shared experience and can imply a sense of connection or camaraderie. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Huffington Post

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0.3%

Science

0.7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we shared a meal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of eating together. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing experiences where the communal aspect of dining is emphasized. While commonly found in news and media, as well as in more casual contexts, it can be slightly informal for professional settings. Alternatives like "we dined together" may be more appropriate in those situations. The phrase is used to simply describe an action, and can suggest social interaction and can emphasize the relational aspect of eating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had a meal together

Common alternative, slightly less emphasis on the sharing aspect.

we ate together

Simple and direct alternative emphasizing the act of eating.

we dined together

More formal alternative focusing on the act of dining.

we gathered for a meal

Highlights the act of coming together as a group to eat.

we broke bread together

Idiomatic expression suggesting a friendly and communal meal.

we feasted together

Suggests a large and celebratory meal.

we lunched together

Specific to lunch, implying a midday meal.

we had dinner together

Specific to dinner, implying an evening meal.

we communed over food

Emphasizes the sense of connection and communication during the meal.

we supped together

Archaic term for taking supper or a light evening meal together.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we shared a meal" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "we dined together" or "we had a meal together", which maintain a professional tone while conveying the same basic meaning.

What does it imply when someone says "we shared a meal"?

The phrase "we shared a meal" often implies more than just eating together; it suggests a sense of camaraderie, connection, or bonding during the dining experience.

Is there a difference between "we shared a meal" and "we ate together"?

While both phrases indicate that people ate together, "we shared a meal" emphasizes the communal and relational aspect of the experience, whereas "we ate together" is a more neutral statement simply describing the act of eating in the same location.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "we broke bread together" instead of "we shared a meal"?

The idiom "we broke bread together" is appropriate when you want to evoke a sense of warmth, friendship, and communal harmony. It's often used to describe a friendly and intimate dining experience.