tomatoes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tomatoes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the vegetable, a group or amount of the vegetable, or something related to the vegetable. For example, "I like to add sliced tomatoes to my sandwiches" or "My garden has been producing a lot of tomatoes this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Welcome to the US border town of Nogales, home to the largest fresh-produce gateway into the US – a Big Food superhighway where convoys of vast trucks roll in from Mexico, sometimes dumping mountains of crops into landfill if, for example, the price of Florida tomatoes suddenly drops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Braised brisket subs in for seared rib-eye, provolone for the typical Wiz or American cheese, while additions of horseradish mayo, hot peppers, roasted tomatoes and a fried egg are considered downright blasphemous.

The Guardian - Travel

Stir in the pimentón, tomatoes and wine and simmer for 5 minutes or until they have reduced and thickened into a sauce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Place the peppers and tomatoes, skin-side uppermost, under the hot grill to brown or char.

The Guardian - Books

Serves 2 1 tbsp olive oil ½ onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 scotch bonnet chilli, deseeded and chopped (leave the seeds in if you like it very hot) 1 tsp tomato puree ½ tsp ground cumin 1 x 400g tin tomatoes 4 eggs 2 tortillas 2 tbsp sour cream 1 Heat the oil in a medium saucepan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the Playa borough, at the corner of 25th and 14th Streets, the organoponicus boasts a hectare abundant with parsley, lettuce, Chinese spinach and tomatoes.

The Guardian

You could also add some very finely diced chorizo, or a couple of anchovies in the last five minutes of cooking the tomatoes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Octopus, fish and shrimps are sautéed with onions, tomatoes and local spices, and put into a sandwich with pickled cucumbers and cabbage.

The Guardian

The Beano publisher DC Thomson has collaborated in an official "mod" for the popular game, replacing default characters and items with Dennis and Gnasher, as well as catapults, rotten tomatoes, stink bombs and Dennis' nemesis Walter.

The Guardian - Tech

According to migrant rights activists, many children who escape, or are lured out of emergency shelters or foster homes by the promise of employment, end up working in conditions of forced labour, packing boxes of tomatoes in basements or greenhouses in Sicily.

The Guardian

"Her chef says her body needs omega-3 fatty acids for maximum fertility, so she'll be eating lots of mackerel, grilled tomatoes and poached eggs, for vitamin D. He has also recommended banana smoothies, because B6 is said to help egg production".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing recipes, specify the type of "tomatoes" needed (e.g., plum, Roma, cherry) for the best results.

Common error

Avoid using "tomatoes" as a generic term when a specific type matters. For instance, don't call a dish made with cherry tomatoes simply "tomatoes" if the recipe requires a sweeter profile.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tomatoes" is as a plural noun. It is used to refer to multiple instances of the fruit, as evidenced by Ludwig showing its use in various contexts such as recipes and descriptions of food items. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Books

10%

Tech

5%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "tomatoes" functions primarily as a plural noun and is used to specify the presence of the fruit in various contexts, as verified by Ludwig. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing ingredients in recipes, agricultural products, and culinary preferences. The term maintains a neutral register, appealing to a broad audience, and it is commonly used across news, lifestyle, and travel sources. The Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of "tomatoes" in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fresh tomatoes

Emphasizes the freshness of the tomatoes.

ripe tomatoes

Highlights the ripeness and readiness of the tomatoes for consumption.

canned tomatoes

Specifies that the tomatoes are preserved in a can.

roma tomatoes

Refers to a specific variety of tomatoes known for their use in sauces.

heirloom tomatoes

Denotes tomatoes from older, non-hybrid varieties, valued for their unique flavors.

cherry tomatoes

Indicates small, round tomatoes, often used in salads.

plum tomatoes

Describes oval-shaped tomatoes, ideal for making sauces and pastes.

sliced tomatoes

Refers to tomatoes that have been cut into slices.

diced tomatoes

Specifies tomatoes that have been cut into small cubes.

sun-dried tomatoes

Indicates tomatoes that have been dried in the sun or a dehydrator, concentrating their flavor.

FAQs

How do I use "tomatoes" in a sentence?

You can use "tomatoes" as a plural noun to refer to multiple tomatoes, such as in the sentence, "I bought fresh "fresh tomatoes" at the market."

What are some alternative ways to say "tomatoes" depending on the variety?

Depending on the type, you could use terms like "cherry tomatoes", "plum tomatoes", or "heirloom tomatoes" to be more specific.

Is it correct to say "tomato" instead of "tomatoes"?

While "tomato" refers to a single fruit, "tomatoes" is the plural form used when referring to multiple fruits. For example, "I ate a tomato" versus "I ate several "several tomatoes"".

What is the difference between "tomatoes" and "tomato sauce"?

"Tomatoes" refers to the raw fruit, while "tomato sauce" is a prepared sauce made from tomatoes, often with added seasonings.