The family gathered around the table for dinner.

Meaning: This means that the family members sat down together at the table to eat their dinner.

Choice of Words: Gathered means to come together in a group. Dinner means the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening. When you put them together, "family gathered around the table for dinner" means that the family members came together at the table to eat their evening meal.

Alternative Expressions

The family came together at the table to eat dinner.

Meaning: This means the same as the first sentence, that the family members gathered at the table to eat dinner.

Choice of Words: Family means a group of people who are related to each other, like parents and children. Came together means to gather in one place. At means in a specific place or location. Table is a piece of furniture that you eat or work on. To eat means to consume food. Dinner is the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening. When you put them together, this sentence tells us that a group of related people gathered at a table to consume their evening meal.

The family members sat down at the table to have their evening meal.

Meaning: This means the same as the first two sentences, that the family members gathered at the table to eat dinner.

Choice of Words: Family members means people who are related to each other, like parents and children. Sat down means to take a seat. At means in a specific place or location. Table is a piece of furniture that you eat or work on. To have means to possess or own something. Evening meal is the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening. When you put them together, this sentence tells us that a group of related people took seats at a table to consume their evening meal.

Related Expressions