canning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "canning" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used when referring to the process of preserving food in sealed containers or in a metaphorical sense, such as dismissing someone from a job. Example: "After the harvest, we spent the weekend canning tomatoes for the winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Farmers could grow grain, sugar cane, coffee, tea and tropical fruits for canning.

The Economist

Many gardeners are focusing on "heirloom" plants—rare varieties from earlier times that do not appeal to agribusiness.Classes are being offered on canning vegetables and raising chickens.

The Economist

More domestic gas production need not mean canning the government's legally-binding carbon-emissions targets and would boost the economy.

The Economist

In the past the lack of a formal process for canning ideas meant that many lived on, absorbing time and resources better spent elsewhere.Elon Musk, boss of Tesla Motors, a start-up that recently began producing an electric sports car, learnt useful lessons from the dotcom bust.

The Economist

Jinja, where Lake Victoria pours into the Nile, is a favoured tourist spot but was once also a thriving town, refining sugar cane, canning fish and spinning cotton.

The Economist

From 1908 to 1916 Hine concentrated on photographing child workers, producing thousands of individual portraits and group scenes of underage children employed in textile mills, mines, canning establishments, and glass factories and in street trades throughout the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Even in the increasingly less sober post-big bang City he was a glamorous figure, and with Polly Peck soaring into the FTSE 100 through a series of diverse acquisitions that included Russell Hobbs and the giant fruit-canning Del Monte empire, he became one of the City's, as well as one of the Tories', favourite businessman.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the system developed, Congress sent county agents from universities to teach menfolk modern farming and their wives such skills as tomato-canning.

The Economist

The agriculture minister wants to bail out a tomato-canning firm.

The Economist

Last month it rejected an A$25m $22.5mm) bail-out for SPC Ardmona, a fruit-canning business that Australians regard with a sentimentality matched only by that for Holden.

The Economist

The new town, developed as a fishing and sardine-canning centre, is connected by road and steamer service with Istanbul and is also linked by road with Edirne.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food preservation, specify the method (e.g., "canning", pickling, drying) for clarity. For metaphorical use, consider alternatives like "dismissing" or "rejecting" for potentially less ambiguous language.

Common error

While "canning" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, using it metaphorically in formal writing (e.g., "canning" a proposal) might sound too informal. Opt for more professional terms like "rejecting" or "terminating."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "canning" is as a noun referring to the food preservation process. It also functions as a verb in its present participle form. Ludwig's examples showcase both uses, aligning with its definitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "canning" is grammatically correct and widely used, functioning primarily as a noun describing food preservation or as a verb (present participle). While Ludwig confirms its usability, consider the context. In formal settings, metaphorical uses might benefit from more precise alternatives like "rejecting". Predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, its register is generally neutral, but can shift towards informal with metaphorical applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserving

Focuses on the act of keeping food safe and edible for an extended period, similar to "canning" but broader.

jarring

Specifies the use of jars for preservation, a common method within "canning".

tinning

Refers to preserving food in tins or cans, highlighting the container type used in "canning".

heat processing

Emphasizes the method used in canning to kill microorganisms and preserve food.

sealing

Highlights the action of tightly closing containers to prevent spoilage, a crucial step in "canning".

firing

In a metaphorical sense, it implies dismissing someone from a job, similar to "canning" an idea.

dismissing

Focuses on the act of removing or rejecting something, akin to "canning" an idea or project.

terminating

Implies ending or discontinuing something, paralleling the concept of "canning" a plan.

giving the axe

Idiomatic expression for firing someone, relates to the figurative use of "canning".

giving notice

Formal way of announcing termination, connects to the dismissal aspect of "canning".

FAQs

What does "canning" mean in the context of food?

In the context of food, "canning" refers to the process of preserving food by heating it in sealed containers to kill microorganisms and prevent spoilage.

Can "canning" be used in a non-food related context?

Yes, "canning" can metaphorically mean to dismiss or reject something, such as an idea or project. However, consider more formal alternatives like "dismissing" or "rejecting" in professional settings.

What are some alternatives to "canning" when referring to preserving food?

Alternatives include "preserving", "jarring", and "tinning", depending on the specific method and container used.

Is "canning" always the best word choice for describing food preservation?

While correct, "canning" may not always be the most precise term. Specifying the method (e.g., "pickling", "drying") or container ("jarring", "tinning") can offer more clarity.