What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chopped
Example
She chopped the onions into small pieces for the soup. [chopped: past tense]
Example
The recipe calls for finely chopped garlic. [chopped: adjective]
shredded
Example
He shredded the lettuce for the salad. [shredded: past tense]
Example
The recipe requires shredded chicken for the tacos. [shredded: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chopped is more commonly used than shredded in everyday cooking and recipes. Chopped is a versatile technique that can be applied to a wide range of ingredients, while shredded is more specific and often used for certain types of food.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chopped and shredded?
Both chopped and shredded can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, chopped is generally more common and can be used in a wider variety of situations, making it slightly more formal.