it was cooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was cooked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe food that has been prepared through the cooking process, often in a past context. Example: "The chicken was cooked to perfection, with a crispy skin and juicy meat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Store it overnight in the refrigerator and keep it, if possible, in the pot it was cooked in, sitting in gravy or its own juices.

Huffington Post

It was cooked to a turn.

The New York Times

It was cooked; it was sheathed in bread.

The Economist

It was cooked in a Thai style and was gorgeous.

The Guardian - Sport

The mutton tasted like a normal roast, except that it was cooked more uniformly.

The New Yorker

Again, it would have been tastier had the oil it was cooked in been fresher.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's cooked long enough.

The New York Times

It's "cooked rice", of course.

The Economist

"If it's cooked well, it's good," he said.

The New York Times

Two minutes later, it's cooked.

The New York Times - Food

Make sure it is cooked evenly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use more specific cooking verbs (e.g., "baked", "grilled", "roasted") instead of just "cooked" to give the reader a clearer picture of the dish.

Common error

Avoid using "cooked" as a catch-all term for all food preparation methods. Be specific about the cooking method (e.g., "The vegetables were steamed, not just cooked.") for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was cooked" typically functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (usually food) underwent a cooking process. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes the state of an item after it has been subjected to heat or another form of preparation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was cooked" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe food that has undergone a cooking process. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to passively state that something has been subjected to heat or another preparation method. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, using more specific cooking verbs like "baked", "grilled", or "roasted" can enhance clarity. As such, while "it was cooked" serves as a reliable descriptor, refining the language provides a more vivid and detailed account.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been cooked

Emphasizes that the cooking action happened before a specific point in the past.

it underwent cooking

More formal and highlights the process of cooking.

it was prepared

A broader term that includes cooking but isn't limited to it.

it was baked

Specifies the method of cooking as baking.

it was roasted

Specifies the method of cooking as roasting.

it was grilled

Specifies the method of cooking as grilling.

it was fried

Specifies the method of cooking as frying.

it was simmered

Specifies the method of cooking as simmering.

it was boiled

Specifies the method of cooking as boiling.

the cooking was completed

Focuses on the completion of the cooking action.

FAQs

How can I use "it was cooked" in a sentence?

Use "it was cooked" to describe a dish or ingredient that has undergone a cooking process. For example, "The chicken was cooked to perfection."

What can I say instead of "it was cooked"?

You can use alternatives like "it was prepared", "it was baked", or "it was roasted" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it was cooked" or "it had been cooked"?

"It was cooked" is a simple past tense, while "it had been cooked" is past perfect. Use "it had been cooked" to emphasize that the cooking action happened before another point in the past.

What's the difference between saying "it was cooked" and specifying the cooking method?

Saying "it was cooked" is general. Specifying the method (e.g., "it was grilled", "it was steamed") provides more detailed information about the preparation.