by how clean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by how clean" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a degree of cleanliness, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "I was surprised by how clean the house was after the party."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I was really surprised by how clean it was here.

The New York Times

"We were surprised by how clean the effect was".

Science Magazine

"They're really impressed by how clean the air is here," said Michael Benjamin, who runs a state emissions laboratory.

Los Angeles Times

Arriving back in Vancouver after spending three and a half months in Phnom Penh I was dazzled by how clean and functional it was.

Huffington Post

I had family members that measured my capability of being a mother by how clean my house was, how my children were dressed and whether or not I had meals on the table by 5 p.m.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Being driven back to my hotel at dawn (unaccompanied, I promise), I was impressed, too, by how cleaned up the city had been since my last trip.

Forbes

c'High' level of oral cleanliness is defined as a participant reporting a score of 4 or 5. d Assessed by asking participant, "How clean does your mouth feel on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is the least clean you could imagine and 5 is the cleanest you could imagine?".

BMC Oral Health

Decisions about the types of appliances that are purchased can be driven partly by personal cleaning habits, for example, how clean the residence is kept.

Environmental Health Perspectives

By Phyllis McGinley The New Yorker, September 5, 1953 P. 30 How vast, how clean View Article By Jelani Cobb By David Remnick By Jia Tolentino By Joan Acocella.

The New Yorker

When I'd go over to their houses after school, I'd be silently bowled over by how manicured their lawns were, how clean and shiny the kitchens were, the fact that their houses even had multiple floors.

Vice

This ride by Stephanie Gilmore is a prime example of just how clean and glassy each wave is.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing cleanliness, use more direct phrasing such as "the level of cleanliness" or "the degree of cleanliness" to improve clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "I was surprised by how clean the house was", consider "I was surprised by the level of cleanliness in the house".

Common error

Avoid using "by how clean" as a standalone phrase. It often lacks context and doesn't clearly convey the intended meaning. Ensure you provide a complete sentence and a proper subject for what is being described as clean.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how clean" functions as a prepositional phrase attempting to modify a verb or adjective. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not considered standard English, which can lead to awkward sentence structures. Its usage attempts to relate something to a degree of cleanliness, but lacks the grammatical support for effective communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by how clean" is grammatically questionable and not recommended for formal English. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that while it appears across various sources, its usage is infrequent and often results in awkward sentence structures. To achieve clearer and more effective communication, consider alternatives such as "the level of cleanliness" or "based on the cleanliness". While "by how clean" attempts to relate something to a degree of cleanliness, its lack of grammatical clarity makes it less desirable for precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to its cleanliness

This alternative focuses on specifying a standard or scale based on cleanliness.

depending on cleanliness

This alternative suggests that something varies based on the level of cleanliness.

based on its cleanliness

This alternative highlights cleanliness as the foundation or rationale for something.

judging by the cleanliness

This suggests that an assessment or opinion is being formed based on the state of cleanliness.

given the level of cleanliness

This alternative emphasizes a specific measured degree of cleanliness.

considering its cleanliness

This implies that cleanliness is a factor to be taken into account.

in light of its cleanliness

This suggests that cleanliness sheds light on a particular situation or decision.

related to its cleanliness

This alternative highlights a connection or association with the state of cleanliness.

with respect to its cleanliness

This alternative formalizes the consideration of cleanliness in a specific context.

regarding its cleanliness

This frames the discussion directly around the topic of cleanliness.

FAQs

What does "by how clean" mean?

The phrase "by how clean" is generally considered grammatically awkward. It attempts to describe something in relation to the cleanliness of something else, but it's not a standard or clear construction in English. Consider rephrasing for better clarity.

How can I rephrase "by how clean" to be more grammatically correct?

Instead of "by how clean", try using phrases like "the level of cleanliness", "the degree of cleanliness", or "based on the cleanliness" to express the same idea with better grammar.

Is it ever appropriate to use "by how clean" in a sentence?

While you might find examples of "by how clean" being used, it's generally best to avoid it in formal writing. It can be perceived as grammatically incorrect or at least stylistically awkward. Opt for clearer and more direct phrasing.

What are some common mistakes people make when trying to describe cleanliness?

Common mistakes include using vague language, not specifying what is being described as clean, or employing grammatically questionable phrases like "by how clean". Always aim for clarity and precision in your descriptions.