basically cooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically cooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fundamentally or essentially finished or completed, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After hours of preparation, the meal is basically cooked and just needs a few final touches before serving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On the eastbound lanes, 23 Department of Transportation workers and emergency contractors worked to restore the asphalt, which "basically cooked," said Eileen Peters, a spokeswoman for the department.

The New York Times

They were economical, filling, easy everyday fare that, once assembled, basically cooked themselves, requiring no intricate technique to take time away from family and job.

The Washington Post

"Basically, cooked information is working its way into high-level pronouncements and there's a lot of unhappiness about it in intelligence, especially among analysts at the CIA," said Vincent Cannistraro, the CIA's former head of counter-intelligence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"This caused the whales to blister and basically cook".

Vice

Or, if you're like me and live at home with a mother who basically cooks for a living, then you're all set.

Huffington Post

"In the time that my husband was there, he was a cook and an orderly, so he was basically cooking and cleaning.

The New Yorker

Those profiteroles -- basically oysters cooked in pastry with a garlicky cream sauce lightened, if that is the word, with parsley -- by rights will be the restaurant's signature dish.

The New York Times - Arts

You can never go wrong ordering whatever they have fresh in that day, especially the aquachile de camarón, which is basically shrimp cooked in chili and lime.

Forbes

There are dozens of lathera dishes, yes those dishes that are basically vegetables cooked in olive oil in tomato.

Huffington Post

Basically, Lehman Brothers cooked its books for a few days four times a year, so that its quarterly reports would make the firm look far more solvent than it actually was.

Huffington Post

"What we do, basically, is cook a multicourse meal in the fireplace, and while it's cooking, we do sing-a-longs or dance around the table," Mr. van Over said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically cooked" to describe a dish or ingredient that is mostly finished but might need final touches or adjustments before serving. This conveys a sense of near completion without implying absolute readiness.

Common error

Avoid using "basically cooked" when the dish is actually fully cooked. This phrase implies a state of near completion, not absolute completion. If the cooking process is entirely finished, use "fully cooked" or "done" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically cooked" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun (often food) to indicate a state of near completion in the cooking process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. The phrase suggests that the item is mostly, but not entirely, cooked.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basically cooked" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe something that is almost, but not quite, fully cooked. Ludwig AI validated its correctness. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its informal tone might not suit all formal contexts. Alternatives such as "essentially cooked" or "almost fully cooked" can offer greater precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially cooked

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the cooking process being complete.

virtually cooked

Suggests the cooking is almost entirely done, with only minor steps remaining.

practically cooked

Highlights the near completion of the cooking process in a practical sense.

largely cooked

Indicates that the majority of the cooking process has been completed.

mostly cooked

Similar to largely cooked, but may suggest slightly less completion.

almost fully cooked

Directly states the near-complete state of being cooked.

nearly cooked through

Focuses on the internal cooking state, suggesting it's almost done inside.

pretty much cooked

Adds a casual tone, implying a high degree of completion.

cooked for the most part

Highlights that the most significant part of the cooking is finished.

well on its way to being cooked

Emphasizes the progress of the cooking process towards completion.

FAQs

How can I use "basically cooked" in a sentence?

You can use "basically cooked" to indicate that something is almost done but may require a few finishing touches. For example, "The vegetables are "basically cooked"; now I just need to add the sauce".

What's a good alternative to "basically cooked"?

Alternatives include "essentially cooked", "virtually cooked", or "almost fully cooked", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "basically cooked" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "basically cooked" might be considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "largely cooked" or "substantially cooked".

What does "basically cooked" imply about the state of the food?

"Basically cooked" suggests that the food is nearly done but might require final adjustments or additions before being ready to serve or eat. It's not fully finished, but very close to it.