could not cook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not cook" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an inability or lack of skill in cooking. Example: "Despite her best efforts, she realized she could not cook a proper meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

My mother could not cook.

The New Yorker

She could not cook.

The New York Times - Books

My dad could not cook.

The New Yorker

The home could not cook and was feeding patients sandwiches.

The New York Times

She could not cook dinner on the days she worked overtime.

The New York Times

Lovely people but mum could not cook so her daughter cannot cook now.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I couldn't cook hot food.

The New York Times

I knew I couldn't cook.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I couldn't cook, clean, iron, do anything.

Independent

"We had the mice, I couldn't cook, roaches".

The New York Times

"But of all the people who couldn't cook, you put in the best effort".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inability to cook, consider providing context. Explain the reason for their lack of skill, such as lack of interest, time constraints, or physical limitations.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the inability to cook unless it's accurate. Saying someone "could not cook to save their life" is a strong statement that should be reserved for extreme cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not cook" functions as a verbal phrase expressing inability or lack of skill in performing the action of cooking. It describes a state of lacking the capacity or knowledge to prepare food. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is often used to describe someone's limitations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not cook" is a common phrase used to describe the inability to prepare food. It's grammatically sound and versatile, suitable for various neutral contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, often providing context for character descriptions or situational explanations. Related phrases like "was unable to cook" or "lacked the ability to cook" offer alternative ways to express the same idea with varying degrees of formality. When using this phrase, consider the context and avoid exaggeration to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to cook

Replaces "could not" with a more formal synonym "was unable".

couldn't prepare food

Uses 'prepare food' instead of 'cook'.

lacked the ability to cook

Emphasizes the absence of the skill of cooking.

was incapable of cooking

Highlights a complete inability to cook.

had no cooking skills

Focuses on the absence of skills rather than a specific attempt.

was not skilled in cooking

Highlights the lack of expertise in cooking.

didn't know how to cook

Uses a more informal expression indicating lack of knowledge.

wasn't able to prepare meals

Rephrases "cook" as "prepare meals", focusing on the outcome.

never learned to cook

Indicates a lack of opportunity or instruction in cooking.

Cooking was beyond their abilities

Emphasizes that cooking was outside the scope of their abilities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could not cook" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "was unable to cook" or "lacked the ability to cook".

What are some informal alternatives to "could not cook"?

Informal options include "didn't know how to cook" or "couldn't boil water" (idiomatic).

Is it better to say "could not cook" or "couldn't cook"?

Both "could not cook" and "couldn't cook" are grammatically correct. "Couldn't cook" is a contraction and is more informal, while "could not cook" is more formal.

What's the difference between "could not cook" and "did not cook"?

"Could not cook" implies an inability or lack of skill, whereas "did not cook" simply means that no cooking took place, without specifying the reason. For example, the person might have ordered takeout.