canned food

Meaning

This term refers to food that is preserved and sealed in an airtight metal can. It is a very common household term used globally. In British English, it is also frequently referred to as 'tinned food'.

Examples

• We stocked up on canned food before the storm arrived.

  We stocked up on canned food before the storm arrived.

• Canned food is highly convenient because it has a long shelf life.

  Canned food is highly convenient because it has a long shelf life.

• I always keep a few cans of soup and other canned food in my pantry.

  I always keep a few cans of soup and other canned food in my pantry.

• Is canned food as nutritious as fresh food?

  Is canned food as nutritious as fresh food?

• Don't buy canned food if the container is dented or bulging.

  Don't buy canned food if the container is dented or bulging.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I bought some can foods at the store.

  ✓ I bought some canned food at the store.

  We use the adjective 'canned' (with -ed) to describe food in a can, not the noun 'can'.

• ✗ We don't eat many tin foods.

  ✓ We don't eat much tinned food.

  In British English, the correct adjective is 'tinned' (with -ed), and 'food' is uncountable, so use 'much' instead of 'many'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Emergency kits should always include bottled water and ___ food.

  💡 preserved in metal containers

  Show answer

  canned

• I prefer fresh vegetables over ___ food because they taste better.

  💡 adjective form of 'can'

  Show answer

  canned