clean the table

USAGE SUMMARY

"clean the table" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone should clean a table. For example: "Please clean the table before you leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

All clinics used a spray to clean the table, and the contact time allowed ranged from 0 (spray applied to cleaning towel rather than directly to table) to 76 min 51 s (spray having been applied within 1 h of the appointment and then wiped off later) (mean 39 s, median 9 s, 75th percentile 15 s).

BMC Veterinary Research

After dinner, he would wash the dishes and Vivian would clean the table and the counters.

The New Yorker

And you try asking them to clean the table, I've had to start bringing my own wetwipes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On a quiet Tuesday, another server was more attentive but failed to clean the table (which was strewed with red cabbage) before dessert was served.

The New York Times

You trust that someone who has never met you will have the courtesy to clean the table before you arrive for your next meal.

Huffington Post

Let us not forget my recent visit to my college cafeteria, where one of the employees, with no warning, used her cleaning cloth to slap the food out of my beard and then proceeded to clean the table with it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They cleaned the table.

The New Yorker

"Detective," Mr. Kornberg said, launching into an imaginary cross-examination, "Do you know if they cleaned the table?

The New York Times

The steady customers in Scarsdale who needed the fences touched up, the gutters cleaned, the table moved just so are too strapped to need his help.

The New York Times

"You can get away with it for show," he said, "but you couldn't get away with it if somebody came along and cleaned the table".

The New York Times

CeCe finally arrives back at her mansion, Sumner's Rest, only to discover that the vicissitudes of life defy even the best-laid plans and the most regally welcoming of homes — "the silver and crystal polished, the mattresses turned, the drapery and rugs cleaned, the table linens counted and pressed, the lightbulbs and water filters changed".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "clean the table", specify the cleaning method or products to use for clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "clean the table" without providing necessary cleaning supplies or instructions. Always ensure the person has access to appropriate cloths, sprays, or other cleaning agents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clean the table" primarily functions as an imperative, used to instruct or request someone to perform the action of cleaning a table. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clean the table" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. Related phrases like ""wipe down the table"" or ""clear the table"" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to provide specific instructions or necessary cleaning supplies when using this phrase to ensure clarity and effectiveness. Overall, it's a straightforward and practical command in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wipe down the table

Focuses on the action of wiping the surface.

clear the table

Implies removing items from the table, often before or after cleaning.

sanitize the table

Emphasizes disinfecting the table.

mop the table

Involves mopping to clean up a table

scrub the table

Implies a more rigorous cleaning process.

tidy up the table

Suggests a general act of tidying, which may include cleaning.

make the table spotless

Highlights the end result of cleaning.

degrease the table

Specifies the removal of grease.

dust the table

Focuses on removing dust.

wash the tabletop

Refers specifically to washing the surface of the table.

FAQs

How can I use "clean the table" in a sentence?

You can use "clean the table" in a sentence like, "After dinner, please "clean the table" so we can start dessert".

What is another way to say "clean the table"?

Alternatives to "clean the table" include "wipe down the table", "clear the table", or "sanitize the table", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cleaning the table"?

Yes, "cleaning the table" is grammatically correct. However, ""clean the table"" is often used as an instruction or command.

What's the difference between "clear the table" and "clean the table"?

"Clear the table" typically means to remove dishes and items from the table, while ""clean the table"" refers to wiping and sanitizing the surface.