soup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soup" is correct and usable in written English, but it is incomplete on its own.
You can use it in contexts related to food, cooking, or metaphorically to describe a situation or mixture. Example: "For dinner, I decided to make a hearty vegetable soup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Loses a point for gratuitous mention of "macrobiotic soup".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On any one day you could find a rich pumpkin soup with leek, cauliflower and sage, basmati rice with bitter puntarelle, courgette and marinated tofu, crunchy buckwheat smothered with a tangy hummus, seaweed risotto, and red cabbage flan.

The Guardian - Travel

After a starter of cold duck's blood in a soup dish topped with golden, crisp fried shallots, we were served a huge platter of roasted carcass, and encouraged to toss the bones over our shoulders for the stray dogs to chew on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From the soup kitchens they began with, the women involved became increasingly politicised.

The Guardian - Opinion

We'd then have Jeannie's ajo blanco – garlic and almond soup with grapes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A single bite of cloudlike scallop-and-lobster dumpling in cherrystone-scented soup testifies to the benefits of the process.

The New York Times - Food

(In northern China, they drink it as a soup. It has a silky texture and it's quite comforting).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Simmer for 15 minutes, until most of the kidney beans have broken down and thickened the soup, and the spinners are cooked through.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sometimes it was embarrassing to roll up on council estates, at women's refuges, probation hostels or queues of the homeless at midnight soup kitchens – but never mind the car, she could put anyone at their ease.

The Guardian - Arts

I have become better with money but there was a big reality check at first – and there are times when I have lived off porridge and pea soup!" Jaisal Patel, 22, BA modern languages and business, University of Liverpool "I graduated this summer and am starting a job as a wetstock data analyst at a petroleum management company, helping to minimise leaks and theft at garage forecourts.

The Guardian

In the winter months the mulligatawny soup – a spicy variation on lentil soup cooked in south Indian style – is a perfect compliment to onion bhaji or gobi pakora (cauliflower fried in chick-pea flour).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing recipes or describing meals, be specific about the type of "soup" to provide clarity (e.g., vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup).

Common error

Avoid using "soup" metaphorically too often, as it can become cliché. Opt for more precise and vivid imagery when describing chaotic situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "soup" is as a noun, referring to a liquid food. It can also function as a verb, though this usage is less common. Ludwig indicates that the word is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "soup" is a common and grammatically correct noun, primarily used to refer to a liquid dish. As Ludwig points out, its usage is widespread across various contexts, especially in news and lifestyle media. While frequently used in its literal sense, "soup" can also serve as a metaphor for chaotic mixtures. It's important to be specific when describing types of "soup" and to avoid overusing the metaphoric sense. High-quality sources like The Guardian and The New York Times exemplify its proper usage. Overall, "soup" remains a versatile and frequently encountered term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broth

Refers specifically to the liquid part of a soup, or a simple, unthickened soup.

stew

Implies a thicker, heartier dish than soup, often with larger pieces of ingredients.

cream soup

A soup made creamy by adding cream, milk, or another thickening agent.

chowder

Indicates a thick soup, usually containing seafood and vegetables.

consommé

Specifies a clear, clarified broth, a type of soup.

bisque

Denotes a creamy soup, traditionally made from shellfish.

gazpacho

Refers to a cold soup, typically made with raw vegetables.

bouillon

A clear, seasoned broth, often used as a base for soup.

potage

A general term for a thick soup, often made with vegetables.

mulligatawny

An Anglo-Indian soup, typically curried.

FAQs

How can I use "soup" in a sentence?

You can use "soup" in various contexts, such as "I made a delicious vegetable soup for dinner" or "The alphabet soup of acronyms confused me."

What are some different types of soup I could mention?

There are many types of soup, including "broth", "stew", "chowder", "consommé" and "bisque", each with unique ingredients and preparation methods.

Is it correct to use "soup" metaphorically?

Yes, "soup" can be used metaphorically to describe a confused or chaotic mixture, such as "an alphabet soup of regulations". However, use this sparingly to avoid clichés.

What's the difference between "soup" and "stew"?

"Soup" generally refers to a liquid dish with smaller pieces of ingredients, while "stew" is thicker and contains larger, more substantial pieces.