be thoroughly cleaned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be thoroughly cleaned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying that something needs to be cleaned in a complete and meticulous manner. Example: "Before the guests arrive, the entire house should be be thoroughly cleaned to ensure a welcoming environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

During April, all books and shelves on the Lower Level will be thoroughly cleaned.

Stanford University

Other buildings may have to be stripped and gutted to be thoroughly cleaned.

The New York Times

Mr. Carey said the fieldstone would be thoroughly cleaned before shipment.

The New York Times

The trains will be thoroughly cleaned every 45 days, instead of every 60 days.

The New York Times

Do contaminated sites need to be thoroughly cleaned even when they will be put to industrial use?

The New York Times

How can we do this? A. The concrete must be thoroughly cleaned and all adhesive residue removed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Even hard drives that have supposedly been thoroughly cleaned can still be reconstructed, he said.

The New York Times

First, surfaces were thoroughly cleaned and pretreated to generate additional silanol groups.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

The bedding was changed and bedding trays were thoroughly cleaned between sessions.

Nature

When Olvera declares it hasn't been thoroughly cleaned I feel absolved to leave it alone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The maze was thoroughly cleaned with dilute soap solution before testing each gerbil.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to clean something, specify what cleaning agents or methods should be used after saying "be thoroughly cleaned" for better clarity. For example: "The equipment must be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water after each use."

Common error

While "be thoroughly cleaned" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing the sentence in active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The room should be thoroughly cleaned", try "Clean the room thoroughly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be thoroughly cleaned" functions as a passive construction indicating that an object or area requires a comprehensive cleaning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, emphasizing the action being performed on the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

26%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be thoroughly cleaned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is effective across diverse contexts, from scientific papers to everyday instructions. It instructs, recommends, or emphasizes the need for a comprehensive cleaning process. Although the phrase is versatile, writers should consider using the active voice for a more direct tone when appropriate. Its widespread use across reputable sources underscores its validity and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be completely sanitized

Replaces "cleaned" with "sanitized", emphasizing the removal of germs and bacteria.

be meticulously scrubbed

Substitutes "thoroughly cleaned" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the detailed scrubbing action.

be deeply disinfected

Focuses on disinfection, implying a more intense cleaning process to eliminate pathogens.

be rigorously washed

Replaces "cleaned" with "washed", highlighting the water-based cleaning action done in a very detailed way.

be immaculately purified

Suggests a very high standard of cleanliness, focusing on removing impurities.

be extensively cleansed

Uses "cleansed" as a synonym for "cleaned", indicating a broad and comprehensive cleaning process.

be attentively wiped down

Replaces "thoroughly cleaned" with a description of the action, highlighting careful attention to detail.

be properly decontaminated

Emphasizes the removal of contaminants, especially in a scientific or medical context.

be effectively cleared

Shifts focus to removing debris and buildup, implying a cleaning action.

be fully debrided

Implies a full process of debridement/cleaning, mostly used in a medical/scientific environment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be thoroughly cleaned" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "thoroughly clean", as in "Thoroughly clean the surface" rather than "The surface must "be thoroughly cleaned"".

What's the difference between "be thoroughly cleaned" and "be sanitized"?

While both imply cleanliness, ""be thoroughly cleaned"" generally means removing visible dirt and grime. "be sanitized" means reducing the number of germs to a safe level, often using chemicals.

Is it better to say "completely cleaned" or "thoroughly cleaned"?

Both are acceptable, but ""be thoroughly cleaned"" suggests a more detailed and meticulous cleaning process than "completely cleaned".

In what contexts is it most important for something to "be thoroughly cleaned"?

The phrase ""be thoroughly cleaned"" is particularly important in contexts where hygiene is critical, such as healthcare settings, food preparation areas, and laboratories.