much cooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much cooked" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that has been cooked extensively, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The meat was much cooked, resulting in a dry texture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

My starter of organic salmon with braised octopus was wonderful, the fish so meltingly soft, it wasn't so much cooked as minimally changed from being raw.

Independent

If you make a major mistake and go too hard too early and overheat the body then you're pretty much cooked.

The Guardian - Sport

If I fail here, I'm pretty much cooked.

Forbes

Ever found yourself with too much cooked rice in your fridge?

Huffington Post

He explains the value of a food mill in the kitchen and tells you how much cooked chicken meat you'll get from a three-and-half-pound bird (about three cups).

The New York Times - Food

Burgers have so much cooked surface area that a lot of the juice just leaks out onto the platter.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It doesn't so much cook as percolate, as the flavors in the oil infuse the fish.

The New York Times - Food

It starts "My big sister Clemmie is my best friend – she can't walk, talk, move around much, cook macaroni, pilot a plane, juggle or do algebra.

Independent

An overnight marinade is usually a good idea, but this saffron yoghurt is so flavoursome that you can just paste it on and pretty much cook straight away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is very much food cooked by a woman concerned primarily with soul and substance rather than appearance.

The New York Times

In an amorphous polymer the molecules are oriented randomly and are intertwined, much like cooked spaghetti, and the polymer has a glasslike, transparent appearance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the degree to which food is cooked, opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "overcooked" or "well-done" instead of using the less conventional phrase "much cooked".

Common error

Avoid using "much" directly before a past participle like "cooked" to describe the degree of cooking. "Much" is typically used with uncountable nouns or adverbs, not as a direct intensifier for participles. Use "overcooked" or "thoroughly cooked" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much cooked" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, aiming to modify a noun by indicating the extent to which it has been cooked. However, Ludwig AI flags this construction as non-standard, suggesting that it's not commonly used or grammatically preferred in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

20%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much cooked" is not a standard or grammatically preferred expression in English. While it attempts to convey the extent to which something has been cooked, it's generally better to use more common and precise alternatives such as "overcooked", "well-done", or "thoroughly cooked". As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is considered incorrect, so avoid it in formal writing or when clarity is essential. Instead, opt for the suggested alternatives to ensure your message is clear and grammatically sound. Remember, effective communication relies on using language that is both accurate and widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcooked

Implies that something has been cooked for too long, resulting in a negative change in texture or quality.

well-done

Describes food, especially meat, that has been cooked thoroughly.

thoroughly cooked

Indicates that the food has been cooked completely and safely.

extensively cooked

Highlights the duration or degree to which something has been cooked.

highly cooked

Similar to extensively cooked but may also imply a technique or style of cooking.

cooked a lot

A simpler, more direct way of saying that something has been cooked frequently or for a long time.

excessively cooked

Emphasizes that something has been cooked to an extreme degree, often negatively.

fully cooked

Indicates that something is cooked to completion, meeting safety or taste standards.

done to a crisp

Suggests that the food is cooked until it is very dry and brittle.

baked to perfection

Implies that the food has been cooked precisely to achieve an ideal state.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "much cooked"?

Instead of "much cooked", consider using more common phrases like "overcooked", "well-done", or "thoroughly cooked" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "much cooked"?

No, "much cooked" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "overcooked" if something is cooked for too long, or "well-done" if you mean it was cooked thoroughly.

When should I use "thoroughly cooked" instead of "much cooked"?

"Thoroughly cooked" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that the food has been cooked completely, especially for safety reasons. "Much cooked" is not a standard phrase and should be avoided.

How does "extensively cooked" differ from "much cooked"?

"Extensively cooked" implies that the food has been cooked for a long duration or to a great degree. It's a more acceptable alternative to the non-standard phrase "much cooked", which isn't commonly used in English.