clean of water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clean of water" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is free from water, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The area was left clean of water after the heavy rain subsided."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

WASHINGTON — At a grocery store on H Street, not far from the Capitol, the shelves were nearly picked clean of water bottles by Thursday afternoon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Also keep a clean glass of water handy for cleaning your needle during the process.

WikiHow

A safe and clean supply of water is the key to cholera prevention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bill finances several projects that are crucial to restoring a clean flow of water through the Everglades.

The New York Times

Amphibians are voracious insect predators and require clean bodies of water in which to lay their eggs.

Huffington Post

Heat up a small clean pot of water on the stove.

WikiHow

In the first strata, we place respondents perceptions regarding the lack of availability of clean water and ubiquity of contaminated water leading to diarrhea.

BMC Public Health

They had two girls holding clear cups of clean water.

Huffington Post

Keep a clean spray bottle of water handy.

WikiHow

Prepare a sanitizing solution using 1 gallon (3.8 L) of clean water in a clean bucket.

WikiHow

State of Wisconsin, $100 million of clean water revenue bonds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the absence of water or other liquids, prefer the phrases "free of water" or "devoid of water" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication. For example: "The container was free of water."

Common error

Do not use the phrase "clean of water" in formal writing. This phrase is not idiomatic and can confuse readers. Instead, use more common and grammatically accepted alternatives like "free of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clean of water" is intended to function as a descriptive phrase, aiming to specify the absence of water or perhaps the removal of water in order to reach a clean state. However, it is not grammatically sound and Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clean of water" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. While the intention may be to express the absence of water or the state of being free from water, it's best to use alternatives like "free of water" or "devoid of water" for clarity and accuracy. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's better to use the suggested alternatives, because this phrase is not standard.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free of water

Replaces "clean of" with "free of", offering a more standard and grammatically correct way to express the absence of water.

devoid of water

Uses "devoid of" to emphasize the complete absence of water, providing a stronger and more formal tone.

without water

Simplifies the phrase to a basic description of lacking water.

dry

Offers a concise adjective describing the state of being without water.

waterless

Uses a single word to convey the absence of water.

uncontaminated water

Focuses on the purity of the water, rather than just the absence of any substance.

pure water

Highlights the purity and cleanliness of the water itself.

potable water

Specifies that the water is safe to drink.

purified water

Indicates that the water has been processed to remove impurities.

clear water

Emphasizes the visual clarity of the water, suggesting its cleanliness.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "clean of water"?

The phrases "free of water" or "devoid of water" are better alternatives.

Is "clean of water" ever appropriate to use?

While technically understandable, "clean of water" is not standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. It's better to choose a more common and accepted phrase.

How can I describe water that is pure and safe to drink?

Use terms like "potable water", "purified water", or "uncontaminated water" to indicate that the water is safe for consumption.

What's the difference between "clean of water" and "free of water"?

"Free of water" is a standard and grammatically correct phrase that means something is not containing water, while "clean of water" is not a recognized idiom and should be avoided.