TalkEnglish Logo

Eating Together

Preparing a meal and eating together is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends.  While doing this activity not only can you share foods you love but it is also a good opportunity to talk and learn about one another.  In this lesson, we will be covering everything you need to know from coming up with a meal to prepare, cooking it together, and sharing a conversation.

Invitation and Planning

First you must choose a meal to share.  Breakfast is eaten in the morning, lunch in the afternoon and dinner in the evening.  The steps for planning a menu are relatively the same for all three.  When planning a meal it is also important to try and come up with something you all will enjoy.  

Here are some questions commonly used when asking someone to cook a meal and have dinner.

"Would you like to come over to my house and have dinner with me?"
"Maybe we could cook dinner together?"
"What time should we plan on getting together?"
"Do you have any suggestions on what we could make?"
"We should probably make a grocery list."
"Do you want to go to the grocery store together?"
"What grocery store do you prefer?"
"If we could go together do you want me to drive?"
"Should we pick up any wine or beer to drink at dinner?"
"Maybe we can split the grocery bill?"


"Sure, I would love to come over for dinner.  I really love to cook and it might give us some time to catch up with one another."
"That sounds great.  I am free tonight so I can definitely make it."
"Cooking dinner together sounds fun."

"I think that is a good idea, maybe we can share recipes."
"How does 5 o'clock sound?"
"I get off work at 5.  I can go straight home to grab a few things and meet you around 6."

"I have this new recipe I have been dying to try.  Do you like Italian food?"
"I am not too picky.  I have some steak and chicken we can use."

"Yes we probably should make a list.  I don't want to forget anything."
"I am pretty sure I will remember everything we need, but if you want to jot a few things down that is ok with me."

"Sure, we can go to the grocery store together."
"Let's see what we both have at home to cook and maybe we can skip the grocery."

"I usually shop at Albertsons."
"I don't have a preference where we go."

"If it's ok I can just meet you there."
"Sure, you can drive if you don't mind."

"I do not drink alcohol but maybe we could grab some soda."
"Sure, wine sounds good with dinner.  I prefer white wine."

"I think splitting the bill is a good idea."
"No big deal.  I can buy the groceries this time and if we do this again you can treat."
