prawns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prawns" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a type of seafood, specifically large shrimp, in culinary contexts or discussions about food. Example: "For dinner, I decided to prepare a delicious garlic butter sauce to accompany the prawns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We ate fish kebabs with coconut salsa, giant prawns, palm heart souffles, melting sorbets and wonderful cardamom ice cream.

The Guardian - Travel

At the end of the day, we would head, sandy-footed, to the nearest restaurant, knowing that at every one there would be a cabinet full of fresh seafood to choose from – bass, bream, salmon, lobster, prawns, crabs, goose barnacles, clams … We never ate the same thing twice.

The Guardian - Travel

(If you eat neither pork or prawns, Rosemary Brissenden's recipe in South East Asian Food suggests chicken thigh as an alternative, or you can find plenty of vegetarian versions online, including the Gourmet recipe referenced here).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Add the pieces of fish (not the squid or the prawns) to the pan and leave to cook for 1 minute, then turn them over and cook for a further minute.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Looking for something fishy, something nice and slippery, gringa?" A mountainous woman, her arms elbow-deep in a basket of prawns, sniffed her fingers ostentatiously as I made my way between the overflowing food stalls in the crowded market.

The Guardian - Travel

The Guardian has reported that Asian slave labor has been deployed to produce prawns for buyers in the US and Europe.

The Guardian

Most recipes simply specify cooked prawns, but Van Tran and Anh Vu's Vietnamese Market Cookbook briefly simmers them in lemongrass-infused coconut milk before use.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Next door, if you want something more substantial, is a more traditional restaurant and bar, with the same stonking view and a more extensive menu, including €4.50 burgers, plates of prawns, and pork chops with chips.

The Guardian - Travel

Put the noodles into a large bowl and add the pork, prawns, squid, peanuts, mint, dried shrimp and chilli and toss together well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Add the orange zest, tomatoes, red pepper, bay leaf, thyme, saffron, chilli flakes and prawns, and the fish fillets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I enjoy my beer and a rather un-Sri Lankan dinner of fat prawns and salad leaves.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "prawns", consider specifying the type (e.g., king prawns, tiger prawns) or preparation method (e.g., grilled prawns, fried prawns) to provide more context for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "prawns" and "shrimp" interchangeably without understanding the subtle differences. While often used synonymously, some culinary and scientific contexts differentiate them based on species and physical characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prawns" is as a noun, typically used as a plural form referring to multiple crustaceans. As Ludwig shows, it commonly appears in culinary descriptions and discussions about seafood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prawns" functions primarily as a plural noun referring to a type of seafood. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, encyclopedias and lifestyle content. While it's often used interchangeably with "shrimp", understanding the subtle differences can enhance clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is appropriate for use across different registers, from general discussions to culinary contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrimp

Refers to a similar crustacean, often used interchangeably with "prawns", though some distinguish them by size or specific anatomical features.

king prawns

Specifically denotes larger prawns, emphasizing their size and often higher quality.

jumbo shrimp

Another term for large shrimp or prawns, commonly used in culinary contexts.

prawn dishes

Refers to meals or recipes featuring prawns as a primary ingredient.

fresh prawns

Emphasizes the freshness of the prawns, suggesting they are recently caught or of high quality.

shellfish

A broader term encompassing various marine crustaceans, including prawns.

grilled prawns

Specifies a particular cooking method for prawns, indicating how they are prepared.

seafood

An even broader category that includes all edible marine life, with prawns being a subset.

prawns scampi

A specific dish featuring prawns prepared in the style of scampi.

prawn cocktail

A specific dish featuring prawns, typically served with a sauce.

FAQs

Are "prawns" and shrimp the same thing?

While the terms "prawns" and shrimp are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences. Some classify them based on gill structure and claw shape, but in many culinary contexts, the terms are used synonymously. You can use "shrimp" as an alternative.

How can I use "prawns" in a sentence?

"Prawns" can be used to describe a type of seafood. For example, you might say, "I ordered "grilled prawns" at the restaurant", or "The recipe calls for fresh "prawns"."

What's a good alternative to the word "prawns"?

A common alternative to "prawns" is "shrimp". In some regions, particularly in North America, "shrimp" is more frequently used to refer to both smaller and larger varieties, while "prawns" might be reserved for larger specimens.

Which is correct: "prawns" or "shrimps"?

"Prawns" is the standard plural form of "prawn". While "shrimps" is also a valid plural form of "shrimp", using "prawns" is generally preferred when referring to multiple prawns. You can also just use "shrimp" as a non-plural alternative.