Meaning & use
having lunch
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
In the process of eating the meal that you have in the middle of the day.
Grammar: Used as a continuous verb form; often after 'be' or 'enjoy': 'I am having lunch.' No article is used before 'lunch' in this phrase.
Patterns
- be having lunch
- enjoy having lunch
I can't talk now; I'm having lunch.
They were having lunch when the phone rang.
She likes having lunch in the park on sunny days.
phrasefixed phrase
Meeting someone to eat the midday meal together, often for business or social reasons.
Grammar: Often followed by 'with' someone: 'having lunch with a client'.
Patterns
- having lunch with someone
He's having lunch with his manager today.
We're having lunch with friends this weekend.
Common combinations
- having lunch with someone
- I'm having lunch with my sister tomorrow.
- having lunch at a restaurant
- They're having lunch at a new Italian place.
- having lunch outside
- It's warm enough for having lunch outside.
- having lunch break
- The employees are having their lunch break now.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eating lunch
- Focuses only on the act of eating; 'having lunch' can also mean the social event of lunch.
- dining
- More formal and often refers to a formal meal; 'having lunch' is neutral and everyday.
Word family
Commonly confused: having lunch or having a lunch?
having lunch vs having a lunch
In standard English, we say 'having lunch' without 'a' unless we mean a specific lunch, e.g., 'a business lunch'.
Practice
We ______ lunch when the fire alarm went off.
Choose one answer.
The past continuous 'were having' shows an ongoing action interrupted by another. 'Was having' is singular and does not agree with 'we'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “having lunch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.