while having dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while having dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening simultaneously with the act of having dinner. Example: "We discussed our plans for the weekend while having dinner at our favorite restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Last year, while having dinner at my house, a doctor friend admitted that my disinclination to drink made him uncomfortable.

Independent

Moulin was killed while having dinner at Le Petit Cambodge, her favourite restaurant, according to news reports.

The Guardian

Ms. DeAlto first spied the man who would eventually become her husband while having dinner at a restaurant in Red Bank, N.J.

The New York Times

Mr. Baldomero's killing came two days after Jose Daguio, 75, a former journalist in the northern province of Kalinga, was gunned down while having dinner in his home.

The New York Times

While having dinner at a hotel, she was noticed by American singer Harry Richman, who recommended her for a screen test at a London film studio.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Brady said he got the idea of an Indian musical in 2002, while having dinner with Mr. Gough in Auckland, New Zealand.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

You don't have to feel pressured while just having dinner.

WikiHow

A little while ago we were having dinner and he got a message that he had made a mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just last night while we were having dinner, three different companies came on the TV advertising debt management.

The New York Times

Arriving one evening on the doorstep of Dr. Moridis's home while he was having dinner, Salomon rang the bell and handed him the packages.

The New Yorker

While I was having dinner at Zoë, my waitress choked up when she looked out the window and saw a Mardi Gras float pass by.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event that occurred concurrently with a meal, "while having dinner" clearly establishes the timing, making your writing more vivid and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using similar phrases like "during dinner" if you specifically want to emphasize the simultaneous action of eating and another event. "During dinner" can sometimes imply a more general timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while having dinner" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs. It establishes a temporal relationship, showing that the action described by the main verb happens at the same time as the act of eating dinner. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

21%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

The Guardian

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while having dinner" is a versatile adverbial phrase that effectively sets the timing of an event in relation to a meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias, it serves to provide temporal context, clarifying when an action took place. While "during dinner" offers a similar meaning, "while having dinner" specifically emphasizes that the two actions occur simultaneously. For more formal contexts, alternatives such as "during the meal" may be preferable. With various alternative to choose from, ensure you select the more appropriate for each specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while at dinner

Reorders the words slightly, maintaining the same core meaning.

while dining

Shortens the phrase by using the gerund form of the verb 'dine'.

during dinner

Replaces the "while having" construction with a simpler preposition, making it more concise.

over dinner

Suggests a more relaxed and conversational context, emphasizing the shared experience of dining.

during the meal

A more general way to refer to a dinner.

as we dined

Elevates the tone slightly, using a more formal verb choice for "eating dinner."

at supper

Uses a synonym for dinner, suggesting a more informal or regional context.

at the dinner table

Shifts focus to the location of the activity, rather than the act of eating itself.

during the dinner hour

Specifies the time frame in which the event occurred, adding a sense of routine or schedule.

as dinner was served

Changes the focus to the act of serving dinner, implying the meal is the backdrop.

FAQs

How can I use "while having dinner" in a sentence?

Use "while having dinner" to indicate that something happened concurrently with the act of eating dinner. For example, "We discussed our vacation plans while having dinner."

What are some alternatives to "while having dinner"?

Some alternatives include "during dinner", "over dinner", or "as we dined", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "during dinner" or "while having dinner"?

Both are correct, but "while having dinner" emphasizes the simultaneity of eating and another action, whereas "during dinner" is more general and indicates that something occurred at some point during the meal.

Can I use "while having dinner" in formal writing?

Yes, "while having dinner" is suitable for most contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "during the meal" for a slightly more refined tone.