a cleaning man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cleaning man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a male individual whose job is to clean, typically in a professional context. Example: "The building manager hired a cleaning man to ensure the office was spotless every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Mayor Bloomberg is my man," says Michael Liburd, a cleaning man born in Nevis and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where he was found loading mops into his car.

The New York Times

An installation that the popular and pricey British artist Damien Hirst assembled in the window of a Mayfair gallery on Tuesday was dismantled and discarded the same night by a cleaning man who said he thought it was garbage.

The New York Times - Arts

Janet Blackburn, Neville's postmaster for 39 years, paid him no mind, wondering aloud: "Do you know what happened to the plaques on the war monument?" Part of the town memorial to two dozen soldiers who died in the world wars, the brass plaques, Ms. Reid said with regret, had been badly damaged by a cleaning man using the wrong chemicals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Ms. Warren came to the attention of the authorities on Wednesday afternoon when subway riders at the station at 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem noticed her swaying and acting strangely, and heard crying coming from a tote bag that she was carrying, said Harold Richardson, a subway station cleaning man who saw what happened.

The New York Times

Without a word, the cleaning man holds the key out to Mr. Hafez, who unlocks the door.

The New Yorker

house was quiet a few hours later, at 6 45 a.m., when the cleaning man and his father arrived for work.

The New York Times

The cleaning man, Emmanuel Asare, 54, told The Evening Standard: "As soon as I clapped eyes on it, I sighed because there was so much mess.

The New York Times - Arts

I surveyed the empty hallway outside Room 1117, where the cleaning man was now coating the floor with disinfectant the way he did after every discharge, oblivious to individual dramas.

The New York Times - Magazine

She's moved into her second-tier but still comfortable office where Abel (Eddie Martinez), pronounced Ah-bell, is the handy cleaning man.

Huffington Post

Victim was Arnold Schneider, a dry-cleaning man.

The New Yorker

The police were immediately followed into the church by a cleaning crew of men dressed in white one-piece jumpsuits with hoods, white masks covering their noses and mouths.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cleaning man", consider the specific context. If gender is not relevant, a more inclusive term like "cleaner" or "janitor" might be preferable.

Common error

While "a cleaning man" is grammatically correct, be aware that it may sound somewhat dated or gender-specific. Opt for more modern or gender-neutral alternatives like "cleaner", "janitor", or "custodian" to avoid potential biases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cleaning man" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a compound noun, where "cleaning" acts as an adjective describing the type of man. Ludwig examples show it referring to an individual whose job is to clean.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Arts

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cleaning man" is a grammatically correct but somewhat dated noun phrase used to describe a male individual who cleans professionally. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, more modern and gender-neutral alternatives like "cleaner", "janitor", or "custodian" are often preferred, especially in formal or professional contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it's essential to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "a cleaning man" and its alternatives to ensure clarity and inclusivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a janitor

This alternative refers to someone who is responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of a building.

a custodian

Similar to a janitor, this term implies responsibility for the care and maintenance of property.

a cleaner

This is a more general term for someone who cleans, without specifying gender.

a maintenance worker

This phrase is broader, including cleaning as part of general upkeep and repair.

a maintenance person

This term refers to someone who handles cleaning as part of overall upkeep.

a sanitation worker

This term refers to someone specifically involved in cleaning and waste removal.

a house cleaner

This refers specifically to cleaning in a domestic setting.

a facilities cleaner

This refers to a person that keeps the facilities functional, more broader than regular cleaner.

a caretaker

This term implies responsibility for the overall well-being and maintenance of a property, with cleaning as a component.

a sanitation engineer

This term is generally related to the public sector cleaning services and is related to city cleaning activity.

FAQs

What is a more modern alternative to "a cleaning man"?

Consider using "a janitor", "a custodian", or simply "a cleaner". These terms are less gender-specific and more commonly used today.

Is it appropriate to use "a cleaning man" in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, it might be perceived as outdated or gender-biased. For professional contexts, using gender-neutral terms such as "a cleaner" or "a janitor" is recommended.

What's the difference between "a cleaning man" and "a sanitation worker"?

"A cleaning man" generally refers to someone who cleans buildings or rooms. "A sanitation worker" typically deals with public cleaning and waste management.

How can I use "a cleaning man" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The building manager hired "a cleaning man" to maintain the office." However, consider using a more inclusive term like "a cleaner".