'Have Lunch' or 'Have a Lunch': Which is Correct?

Are you wondering whether to say let’s ‘have lunch’ or ‘have a lunch’? We can help you figure out which is the correct one and how to use it in a sentence correctly.

In short, the correct answer is:

• ‘Have lunch’ is the correct way to say the phrase.
• ‘Have a lunch’ is usually incorrect. Although, if someone is referring to individually wrapped lunch packs, they might tell someone they can ‘have a lunch.’ You might also see it when used with compound nouns that include the word lunch.

That’s why you should stick to ‘have lunch.’

‘Have a Lunch’ or ‘Have Lunch’ – Which One is Correct?

You’ve already learned that ‘have lunch’ is the correct way to say and write the phrase. You might also be able to use ‘have a lunch’ when it’s used with a compound noun that includes the word lunch.

For example:

“I didn’t have a lunch break.”

That’s typically the only time that ‘have a lunch’ would be correct.

‘A Lunch’ or ‘Lunch’? 

The same is true for ‘a lunch’ and ‘lunch.’

You wouldn’t tell someone you’re having ‘a lunch.’

You’d say you’re ‘having lunch.’

Definition and Meaning of ‘Have Lunch’

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of ‘lunch’ is:

• A usually light meal or the food prepared for lunch.

It could also mean to eat lunch.

When someone talks about having lunch, they’re usually talking about the meal after breakfast and before dinner.

It’s usually a lighter meal than dinner, and people typically eat things like salad, sandwiches, soups, and other items that won’t make them feel too sluggish as they move throughout the day. Because usually, they have to go back to work after lunch.

A Brief History

The first known use of the word ‘lunch’ was in 1800.

It may be short for luncheon.

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Have Lunch’

Are you looking for the correct pronunciation of this phrase? Here’s a quick guide.

• To pronounce ‘have lunch’ correctly, here’s the phonetic spelling: hAv lUHnch

How to Use ‘Have Lunch’ in a Sentence

Now that we know what the phrase means and how to pronounce it let’s look at examples of how to use it in a sentence.

• I was thinking we could have lunch in the café downstairs now.
• I want to have lunch on the patio today. It’s such a beautiful day.
• Time flies whenever we have lunch together. We always have so much fun.
• I don’t want anything for lunch. My stomach isn’t feeling great right now, so I think I’m going to skip it.
• There’s no food in the house, but at least we can have pizza today.

Final Thoughts on ‘Have Lunch’

To recap, we learned that:

• The correct way to say or write the phrase is ‘have lunch.’
• ‘Have a lunch’ is incorrect. However, if someone is referring to individually wrapped lunch packs, they might tell someone they can ‘have a lunch.’ You might also see it when used with compound nouns that include the word lunch.

Therefore, you should stick to ‘have lunch’ in most cases.

If you ever get stuck on anything, you can always come back to review what you learned. We’ve got a ton of other content on confusing words you might want to check out as you’re learning the English language.