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I had a nice dinner vs I had a dinner

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I had a nice dinner" emphasizes the quality of the dinner, while "I had a dinner" is more neutral. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the pleasant experience or simply mention having a meal.
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Explained by Camille
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: November 06, 2024 • 12356 views

I had a nice dinner

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express having enjoyed a pleasant meal.

This phrase is used to indicate that you enjoyed a meal and found it to be pleasant or satisfying.

Examples:

  • I had a nice dinner with my family last night.
  • She cooked a delicious meal, and I had a nice dinner at her place.
  • Despite the long day, I had a nice dinner at the new restaurant in town.
  • After a tiring week, I had a nice dinner at home with my favorite comfort food.
  • The restaurant served amazing food, and I had a nice dinner there.
  • Jul 30, 2024 ... I had a nice dinner date with this beautiful lady yesterday. I catch myself regulary thanking God for her beauty. I am a blessed man! Love you ...
  • Feb 7, 2008 ... I had a nice dinner last night with the Floyd's. Cheryl Floyd is the band director at Hill Country Middle School, the group for whom I'm ...
  • Oct 9, 2021 ... Aaron and I had a nice dinner at PennyLane. For a Saturday evening it was so slow. Sad how the pandemic changed everyone's world. Not fair!! So ...
  • Jun 15, 2009 ... ... -based music critic Pierre Ruhe. It's not for any personal reason; I had a nice dinner with Pierre the last time I was in Atlanta,...
  • Upon learning of my acceptance, I had a nice dinner and dropped out of high school. I was born in Beijing and have lived in Pasadena, St. Louis, and Irvine ...
  • Wednesday night, I had a nice dinner with one of my favorite co-workers, Pam, at a local Mexican restaurant – she and I work together in ACS. Yesterday we ...
  • Apr 19, 2007 ... Meg and I had a nice dinner at the Feve, and then we walked over to the Science Center. There weren't any fun chemistry notes on the board ...
  • It was the day before a full moon and he said it was a special surprise and asked me if I had a nice dinner dress to wear. I thought I had him figured out ...
  • Nov 25, 2014 ... I had a nice dinner at the hotel with my family and we were sitting there reminiscing about the season. It was the first chance I had to ...
  • Feb 25, 2005 ... I had a nice dinner out tonight with Mikki while her folks watched the kids. We went to Doe's Eat Place, which has only recently opened on ...

Alternatives:

  • I enjoyed a lovely dinner.
  • I had a delicious dinner.
  • I had a wonderful dinner.
  • I had a great dinner.
  • I had a fantastic dinner.

I had a dinner

This phrase is correct but more general in nature. It simply states that you ate a meal without emphasizing any specific details.

This phrase is used to convey the simple fact that you ate a meal without focusing on the quality or experience of the dinner.

Examples:

  • I had a dinner with my colleagues after the meeting.
  • She was too tired to cook, so she had a dinner delivered.
  • Despite the late hour, I had a dinner at the 24-hour diner.
  • I had a dinner at the new restaurant in town, but it was just okay.
  • He had a dinner at home alone while watching a movie.
  • Aug 9, 2011 ... Your friend's sentence, as she wrote it, is fine structurally (although not perfect). Both of the sentences "I had a dinner with Chinese ...
  • Mar 15, 2024 ... True story !!! I had a dinner date with this friend and the next day my glitter case phone which had everything in it from 6 years ago went missing !!!
  • Sep 24, 2015 ... I had a dinner date with this guy a week ago. Date went well. Today he sent me a message saying that I should let him know if I would want ...
  • Oct 18, 2024 ... 13 likes, 0 comments - priyahluwalia on October 17, 2024: "Mohit and I had a dinner date at Zueghauskeller and strolled town.
  • Aug 24, 2017 ... I had a dinner party with these bitches last night. #scandal #season7 coming #october Women are stronger when they stick together.
  • Jul 2, 2024 ... ... amazing dinner” It would sound awkward to say “I had a dinner.” Your example sentences are good as they are. Upvote 1. Downvote Reply reply
  • Aug 24, 2017 ... I had a dinner party with these bitches last night. #scandal #season7 coming #october Women are stronger when they stick together.
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Doha - Old Town, Doha Picture: I had a dinner at a friend house and it came to my attention that the dishes were prepared by the ...
  • 1 day ago ... Jordan Walker (@abriarwall). 1 Like. I had a dinner with my extended family and my husband. My mom has passed away so I wanted her side of ...
  • Jan 17, 2011 ... I had a dinner party a few months ago in which everything sort of felt wrong. Not in the way you'd think - my guests ate everything I cooked ...

Alternatives:

  • I ate a meal.
  • I had something to eat.
  • I dined.
  • I had supper.
  • I grabbed a bite to eat.

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