flour

USAGE SUMMARY

'flour' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a powder made from ground cereal grains or other starchy plant foods. Example sentence: When making pancakes, I always use all-purpose flour.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Set aside and let it cool completely. 2 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Grease a 23cm, deep, square cake tin and set aside. 3 Mix together the coconut, semolina, flour and baking powder then set aside. 4 Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together for 3-5 minuntiluntit is is fluffy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In another bowl, whisk the flour with the salt and cinnamon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Whisk the egg yolks, eggs, caster sugar and potato flour until smooth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eleanor Baylis, of Take the flour back, said: "We have no information about this incident, but are relieved if the quantity of GM pollen released from the trial has been reduced".

The Guardian

The Silver Spoon and Hartnett use the classic flour, egg and breadcrumb coating, while Carluccio pares it down to just egg and breadcrumbs, which is harder to stick to the rice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt and mix well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture in 3 batches, whisking well after each addition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sift the flour mixture into the egg mixture and stir with a wooden spoon, but don't overmix.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2 Combine the almond flour, salt and baking powder in a food processor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In these circumstances outside observers might expect banks to be trashed and politicians bombarded with eggs and flour, as was the case in Iceland last month.

The Guardian

In a large mixing bowl, rub the butter and lard into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying "flour" in recipes, be precise about the type (e.g., "all-purpose flour", "bread flour") to ensure consistent results.

Common error

Avoid using just "flour" in recipes or instructions when the type of flour significantly impacts the outcome. Always specify, such as "all-purpose flour" or "self-raising flour", to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flour" is as a noun, referring to a powdered substance made from grains, seeds, or roots, used in cooking and baking. As Ludwig highlights, it’s a common ingredient in various culinary applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Lifestyle

42%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "flour" functions primarily as a noun and is used referentially to denote a key ingredient in cooking and baking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Analysis of usage patterns shows that "flour" frequently appears in News & Media and Lifestyle contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance clarity in writing, it's often advisable to specify the type of flour, such as "all-purpose flour" or "wheat flour". In essence, "flour" is a culinary staple with consistent and broad usage across various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wheat flour

Specifies the type of flour, clarifying its source from wheat.

plain flour

Indicates flour without any added raising agents.

baking flour

Highlights the flour's use specifically for baking.

all-purpose flour

Denotes a versatile flour suitable for various culinary applications.

self-raising flour

Describes flour with added baking powder for leavening.

semolina flour

Indicates a coarser flour, often used for pasta and couscous.

rye flour

Specifies a type of flour made from rye grain.

rice flour

Denotes flour made from ground rice, often used in gluten-free baking.

almond flour

Specifies flour made from ground almonds, a gluten-free alternative.

the milled grain

Refers to flour in a more general, descriptive way.

FAQs

How do I use "flour" in a sentence?

You can use "flour" in sentences related to baking, cooking, or food preparation. For example: "I need to buy "all-purpose flour" for the cake recipe" or "Dust the surface with "rye flour" before rolling out the dough".

What can I say instead of "flour"?

Depending on the context, you can use more specific terms like "wheat flour", "plain flour", or "baking flour". The best alternative depends on the recipe or situation.

Which is correct, "flour" or "flower"?

"Flour" refers to a powder made from ground grains, used for baking. "Flower" refers to the blossom of a plant. They are homophones but have different meanings and spellings.

What's the difference between "all-purpose flour" and "bread flour"?

All-purpose flour is a general-use flour suitable for many recipes. "Bread flour" has a higher protein content, which helps create more gluten, resulting in a chewier texture, ideal for bread making.