Hi I am a teacher of English in Argentina. I teach in 5 th grade ,primary school. I share the same grade with another teacher and I would like to be sure about certain points we teach differently. For example I teach verbs Have dinner , she teaches have a dinner. Which one is correct, both are accepted?
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4Welcome to English Language and Usage. Including an article would depend on the context. If it is a habitual everyday dinner, there is no need. If it is a special dinner, then an article may be used. Please edit your question to show the context.– Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_Commented Jun 8, 2017 at 21:21
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1'We had a dinner after we finished work' is unacceptable unless it means 'we were booked in for a dinner'. 'We had dinner when we got back' is idiomatic. But note the usage 'We had a dinner consisting totally of different vegetables last week'.– Edwin AshworthCommented Jun 8, 2017 at 21:27
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1Whilst agreeing with both Cascabel and @Edwin Ashworth, I would just add, that if one is speaking of an organised dinner, to which many people are invited, then an article would be included. "The Women's Institute hold a dinner every year to which spouses and partners are invited". Or "I was at a dinner last night at which I sat next to a Member of Parliament". There are other circumstances too, where an indefinite article would be idiomatic.– WS2Commented Aug 19, 2018 at 17:55
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3 Answers
Both of them are correct. But yes, they do mean different. I feel that 'have a dinner' refers to event and 'have dinner' refers to actual supper someone(maybe speaker) going to have. For example, "We have a dinner planned at Joe's, hurry up!" showed that speaker has 'event of dinner' and "Have dinner son, we are camping out in lawn." showed that speaker is telling to his son to finish(start and finish) supper. I have used these words like this, maybe wrong.
When one says "have a dinner, it would be referring to a formal feast or banquet (see definition 1b). On the other hand, if one says "have dinner" (without an indefinite article), it would mean having the main meal of the day. (See definition 1a.)
It's all to do with specifics.
I will have dinner ready at 6PM
This indicates a definite event. Dinner is a specific event.
I will have a dinner ready at 6PM
This sounds awkward and not used. The a in this case indicates one of a set of dinners.
I have a dinner party planned at 6PM
When dinner is used as adjective, it's more commonly added. In this case, the object is a party and dinner modifies or sets the type of party.
I have a dinner arranged at 6PM
In this case, dinner is silently modifying an implied noun, a dinner plan or a dinner event but it's implied and doesn't need to be added.
In day to day conversation, omitting a is far more commmon.
What are you doing now? Want to get a drink?
Sorry, I have dinner ready for me at home
Sorry, we are going out for dinner
Sorry, dinner is waiting
Sure, I'm free after dinner
Sorry, i have dinner with a client
Sorry, I have a dinner with a client
In the last case, it's a dinner as that indicates that there is nothing special, but that it's a dinner meeting. It's more formal and a clear indication that you're not dining with someone. You could say I have dinner with a client but it's essentially shorthand for a dinner meeting or event with the client.
The one time where you'd always use a is when you're talking about a specific dinner instead of other dinners.
We had a really nice dinner.
I want to prepare a dinner that will really impress my wife
This will be a dinner that you will never forget
After a big dinner, I can't eat dessert
Thanksgiving is a dinner when most people eat turkey
In Europe, a dinner can last 3 hours.
A dinner in Japan often contains rice
In these cases, you're either speaking in the abstract about the concept of dinner or you're speaking about a specific dinner apart from other dinners.
