Meaning & use
at the dinner table
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
sitting together to eat the main evening meal, especially at home
Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase, usually after verbs like sit, talk, or eat: We talked at the dinner table.
Patterns
- sit at the dinner table
- talk at the dinner table
- at the dinner table
The children are not allowed to use their phones at the dinner table.
We discussed the vacation plans at the dinner table last night.
She told us a funny story at the dinner table.
phrasefixed phrase
in the social setting of a family or group meal, where people talk together
Grammar: Often used to talk about behavior or conversation that happens during a meal, not just the physical location.
Patterns
- at the dinner table
- around the dinner table
Good manners at the dinner table are important in many cultures.
He learned to listen carefully at the dinner table.
There was an awkward silence at the dinner table after his comment.
Common combinations
- sit at the dinner table
- Please sit at the dinner table and wait for everyone.
- talk at the dinner table
- They like to talk at the dinner table about their day.
- manners at the dinner table
- The teacher explained good manners at the dinner table.
- around the dinner table
- The whole family gathered around the dinner table.
- at the dinner table last night
- We argued about politics at the dinner table last night.
- phone at the dinner table
- No phones at the dinner table, please.
Synonyms and how they differ
- at the table
- More general; it can refer to any table, not specifically a meal.
- over dinner
- Focuses on the conversation during the meal rather than the physical location.
- during dinner
- Emphasizes the time period of the meal, not the place.
Commonly confused: at the dinner table or on the dinner table?
at the dinner table vs on the dinner table
Use 'on' for objects placed on the surface: The plates are on the dinner table. Use 'at' for people sitting there: We sat at the dinner table.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'At the dinner table' means sitting there for a meal. 'On' suggests sitting on top of the table, which is unusual. 'In' is wrong because you cannot be inside a table. 'By' means next to it, not sitting at it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “at the dinner table”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.