was cooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was cooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been prepared or heated, typically referring to food. Example: "The chicken was cooked to perfection, making it tender and juicy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everything was cooked in it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Skirt steak was cooked into chewy submission.

The New York Times - Food

It was cooked to a turn.

The New York Times

The sole was cooked to white perfection.

Independent

Plain food was cooked on open fires.

The Guardian - Travel

I've forgotten how the dinner was cooked.

The New Yorker

This was cooked up by the Chews.

The New York Times

"Everything was cooked by itself," he complains.

The New York Times - Arts

"The charge was cooked," Mr. Garwin said.

The New York Times

Roasted halibut, too, was cooked to perfection.

The New York Times

This idea was cooked up by Mr Ayrault.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food preparation, use "was cooked" to indicate that the food underwent a heating process to make it edible or more palatable. For example, "The vegetables were cooked until tender-crisp."

Common error

Avoid using "was cooked" metaphorically when "was planned" or "was devised" would be more appropriate. Saying "The plan was cooked" might sound awkward; instead, say "The plan was devised."

Linguistic Context

"Was cooked" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of cooking. This passive construction shifts the focus from the cook to the food itself, as seen in Ludwig's examples, where the phrase describes the state or method of food preparation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was cooked" serves as a passive verb phrase, commonly employed to depict the preparation of food. Ludwig's analysis shows it has a neutral tone, is widely used across contexts such as News & Media and Science, and is considered grammatically correct. While primarily related to culinary contexts, it can occasionally be used metaphorically, although alternatives might be more appropriate. Given its correct usage and high frequency, "was cooked" is a reliable phrase for describing food preparation processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been cooked

Emphasizes the completion of the cooking action at a time prior to another action or time in the past.

was prepared

Focuses on the process of getting something ready, not necessarily involving heat.

was baked

Specifically refers to cooking in an oven with dry heat.

was simmered

Suggests gentle cooking in liquid just below boiling point.

was roasted

Describes cooking food, especially meat, by prolonged exposure to heat in an oven or over a fire.

was fried

Involves cooking food in hot oil or fat.

was made

Indicates the creation or construction of something, not necessarily involving cooking.

was fabricated

Implies that something was invented or concocted, often with deceitful intent.

was devised

Highlights the planning and creation of something, often a scheme or strategy.

was concocted

Suggests the creation of something, often a mixture or story, through clever or unusual means.

FAQs

How is "was cooked" used in a sentence?

You can use "was cooked" to describe how food is prepared, for example, "The chicken "was cooked" in a flavorful sauce". It can also be used metaphorically, though less commonly.

What are some synonyms for "was cooked"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was prepared", "was baked", or "was roasted".

Is it correct to say "was cooked up" instead of "was cooked"?

"was cooked up" usually implies that something was invented or planned, often secretly or dishonestly. For instance, "The scheme was cooked up by a rival company". Use "was cooked" for literal cooking.

What is the difference between "was cooked" and "had been cooked"?

"Was cooked" indicates a simple past action, while "had been cooked" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "The fish "was cooked" perfectly" vs "The fish "had been cooked" before the guests arrived".