while having drinks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while having drinks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs simultaneously with the act of drinking, often in a social context. Example: "We discussed our plans for the weekend while having drinks at the bar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We first met at a private loft in Chelsea, learning about each other while having drinks with the NYC skyline in our background and a world of potential in our future.

Huffington Post

Months later, while having drinks with the same mutual friends in Philadelphia, he walked in and joined them.

The New York Times

5. "The other night while having drinks with some prominent conservatives, I said I thought there was a significant chance that Gingrich will not only win the nomination but that he might be the next president.

The New Yorker

HAYNESWORTH PLEA New England defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth pleaded no contest to a charge of simple assault to resolve a case in which he was accused of touching a waitress's breast while having drinks with friends at a Washington hotel.

The New York Times - Sports

He'd lean into a story with a little chuckle, as if the yarn you were about to hear about Stonewall Jackson was something he personally observed while having drinks with the man.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

While having drinks recently at the Hudson hotel with a group of British television producers, I ordered a cosmopolitan, as I frequently have since I moved to New York City seven years ago.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Long Wharf's first-rate revival takes place in just such a living room (courtesy of Michael Yeargan, the set designer), and while the family having drinks includes neither senators nor presidents-to-be, Mr. Gurney deftly conveys the way America's ruling elite maintained its place at the head of the social, political and economic pecking order through much of the 20th century.

The New York Times

Some are written by those who reportedly let go themselves, while others say they were "just having drinks" with some of the downsized staff.

TechCrunch

We hid out in that bar for a while, having a few more drinks, before heading next door to another for a change of scenery once the coast was clear.

Vice

Don't give away all your secrets while you have drinks with coworkers.

WikiHow

After a while, Chalabi returned, and we had drinks in the garden with a couple of other reporters who'd shown up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while having drinks" to subtly indicate the social context of an event or conversation. It provides a casual backdrop without explicitly stating a formal setting.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "while having drinks" in your writing. Overuse can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary by using alternatives like "over drinks" or describing the setting more vividly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while having drinks" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the time or circumstance in which the action occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while having drinks" serves as a grammatically sound adverbial phrase that is used to set the scene or provide context to an action, typically in a casual or social setting. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is acceptable and generally neutral. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as in wiki and science-related content. For alternative expressions, consider "over drinks" or "during the drinks" to add variety to your writing. Avoid overusing this phrase in your text to ensure a more engaging and diverse writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over drinks

Replaces "while having drinks" with a more concise prepositional phrase, focusing on the activity during which the conversation or event takes place.

during the drinks

Emphasizes the time period in which drinks are being consumed. It's a slightly more direct way to link an action to the drinking.

as they drank

Focuses on the act of drinking as the activity during which something else occurs, replacing "having drinks" with a more active verb form.

whilst drinking

Uses "whilst" for a more formal or British English variation, emphasizing the continuous action of drinking.

as they were drinking

Emphasizes the ongoing action of drinking, similar to "whilst drinking" but with a more explicit continuous verb form.

sipping drinks

Implies a more leisurely pace of drinking, suggesting a relaxed atmosphere or setting.

drinking together

Highlights the social aspect of drinking, implying that the activity is shared among multiple people.

in the course of drinks

Offers a more formal and somewhat indirect way of saying "while having drinks", suitable for more formal writing.

with a drink in hand

Focuses on the physical presence of a drink, implying that the person is holding a drink while doing something else.

amidst drinks

Suggests that the action occurs within a social gathering or event where drinks are being consumed, adding a sense of atmosphere.

FAQs

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

You can use "while having drinks" to describe an action that occurs during the consumption of beverages, often in a social context. For example: "We discussed our plans "over drinks"".

What are some alternatives to "while having drinks"?

Alternatives include "over drinks", "during the drinks", or "as they drank", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "while having drinks" formal or informal?

"While having drinks" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and some formal contexts. However, "over drinks" might be slightly more concise and versatile.

What's the difference between "while having drinks" and "during drinks"?

"While having drinks" implies a continuous action happening simultaneously with drinking, whereas "during drinks" is more general, referring to a period in which drinks are consumed. "We discussed business "during drinks"" suggests the conversation happened at some point during the drinking period.