french fries

USAGE SUMMARY

"French fries" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to the popular potato snack. For example: "I love the salty crunch of French fries!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

French fries and fried onion rings.

WikiHow

French fries.

Independent

He dodged French fries.

The New York Times - Food

But no French fries.

The New Yorker

French fries, for example.

The New Yorker

(Guilty pleasure: French fries).

The New York Times

Are French fries safe?

The Economist

Not surprisingly, French fries won.

The New York Times - Arts

"Who doesn't love French fries?

The New York Times

French fries became "freedom fries".

The New York Times

They would serve French fries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food, be specific about the type of "french fries" (e.g., curly fries, waffle fries) to enhance clarity and appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "chips" when writing for an American audience unless you specifically mean potato chips. "Chips" typically refers to "french fries" in British English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "french fries" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the object of a sentence or a complement. It identifies a specific type of food, as seen in Ludwig's examples: "He dodged "french fries"" or "They would serve "french fries"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "french fries" is a very common noun phrase referring to deep-fried potato strips. Grammatically correct and widely used, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While "french fries" maintains a generally neutral register, usage can vary based on context. For example, while not incorrect it may be more specific to write thin-cut fries if the discussion needs more specification. As noted in the writing guidance, being specific about the type of fries improves clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chips

A British English term for what Americans call "french fries".

French-fried potatoes

A more formal or descriptive version of "french fries".

freedom fries

A politically charged renaming of "french fries", used briefly in the US.

pommes frites

The French term for "french fries", often used in culinary contexts.

fried potatoes

A more general term that encompasses "french fries" and other potato preparations.

potato fries

Emphasizes the main ingredient of "french fries".

thin-cut fries

Describes the specific cut of potatoes, focusing on the thinness.

deep-fried potatoes

Highlights the cooking method used to prepare "french fries".

crispy fries

Highlights the texture of well-made "french fries".

shoestring potatoes

Refers to a specific, very thin type of "french fries".

FAQs

What's the difference between "chips" and "french fries"?

"Chips" is the British English term for what Americans call "french fries". In American English, "chips" typically refers to potato chips.

Are "french fries" considered healthy?

Generally, "french fries" are not considered a healthy food due to their high fat and sodium content. Healthier alternatives include baked fries or sweet potato fries.

What can I serve with "french fries"?

"French fries" are a versatile side dish and pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken, and steak. They can also be enjoyed as a snack with dips like ketchup, mayonnaise, or aioli.

What are some alternatives to calling "french fries"?

You can use alternatives like "chips" (in British English), "fried potatoes", or "pommes frites" depending on the context.