was cooked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was cooked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone prepared a meal for another person. Example: "She was cooked for by her friends on her birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But parents (or "mums", if the BFF insists) are still, to a remarkable degree, cooking what was cooked for them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of course the meat was cooked for a bit longer than we would do it now".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The one-and-a-half-inch-thick rib-eye was cooked for nine minutes on one side, then seven minutes on the other, timed on an iPhone.

The New York Times

"I'm just wondering if perhaps it was cooked for a second or two too long," Thane later says about Alex and Ed's old-time strawberry jam.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He told investigators that because he prefers Spanish cuts of meat, a friend purchased a large veal tenderloin in the Basque Country near the French border and brought it to nearby Pau, where it was cooked for Contador and his teammates at a hotel.

The New York Times - Sports

The Daily Telegraph's leader column says the weather "instantly stripped households of technology... but neighbour spoke to neighbour and Christmas dinner was cooked for strangers".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I am used to being cooked for, not cooking.

Vice

10 To study how cooking influences the solid loss of carrots, carrots were cooked for 2 min in boiling water.

Food Biophysics

Food is cooked for them.

The New Yorker

"It has to be cooked for hours and hours.

The New York Times - Food

It's being cooked for other people to eat".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was cooked for", ensure that the context clearly indicates who performed the cooking and for whom the meal was intended. For example, "The king was cooked for by his royal chefs" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was cooked for" when the active voice is more direct and clear. Instead of "The guest was cooked for", consider "The host cooked for the guest" to explicitly state who did the cooking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was cooked for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of having a meal prepared for them. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts where the subject is the recipient of the cooking service. The verb 'to cook' is in the past participle form.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was cooked for" is a grammatically sound and usable passive construction that indicates someone received the benefit of having a meal prepared for them. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, as illustrated by the examples provided. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who did the cooking when necessary, and consider using the active voice for directness. Common alternatives include "had a meal prepared" or "was catered for", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a meal prepared

Focuses on the completed action of meal preparation and serving.

had food made for

Emphasizes the act of creating food specifically for someone.

was catered for

Suggests a more formal or professional setting for the food preparation.

received a home-cooked meal

Highlights the personal and comforting aspect of a meal prepared at home.

was provided with a cooked meal

Focuses on the provision of a complete, cooked meal.

was served a cooked dish

Emphasizes the presentation and serving of a specific cooked dish.

had a chef prepare a meal

Highlights the involvement of a professional chef in the meal preparation.

was treated to a cooked dinner

Emphasizes the special and enjoyable aspect of receiving a cooked dinner.

was furnished with a cooked meal

Stresses a more formal and complete provision of a cooked meal.

had a meal prepared on their behalf

Highlights the idea that the meal was cooked by another person for them.

FAQs

How do I use "was cooked for" in a sentence?

Use "was cooked for" to indicate that someone received the benefit of having a meal prepared for them. For example: "He "was cooked for" by his mother during his illness".

What are some alternatives to "was cooked for"?

Alternatives include "had a meal prepared", "was catered for", or "received a home-cooked meal", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "was cooked for"?

While "was cooked for" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often provide greater clarity and directness. For instance, instead of "The team "was cooked for" by the chef", you could say "The chef cooked for the team".

What does "was cooked for" imply about the relationship between people?

"Was cooked for" implies a relationship where one person is providing a service (cooking) for another. This can range from a familial context (e.g., a parent cooking for a child) to a professional one (e.g., a chef cooking for a client).