cleaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of removing dirt or unwanted substances from a surface or area. Example: "I spent the entire afternoon cleaning the house before the guests arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sharadamma puts her books into a bag and fastens her shoes, cleaning off some dust in the process.

The Guardian

"We'll be out there until the storm's over and then at least three hours after cleaning up," he said as he attended a home show in Hartford.

The Guardian

"As a care assistant I spent all my time cleaning up shit and watching people die.

The Guardian

A recent report for WaterAid in Nepal found that roughly half of the girls questioned had been absent from school due to menstruation, mostly because of a lack of privacy for cleaning and washing.

The Guardian

Buhari - who said he was "very confident" of victory - has campaigned as a born-again democrat intent on cleaning up the corrupt politics of the continent's biggest economy and most populous nation.

The Guardian

"She's reading books instead of cleaning the house and having my dinner ready when I get home.

The Guardian

Twenty-eight yeafterfthe the BBC stopped broadcasting Miss Great Britain for being an anachronism verging on the offensive, RAI too, under Tarantola, wants to send a message that Italian television needs to start cleaning up its act.

The Guardian

But Boehner then went on to say that, unlike Barack Obama and the Democrats, he does not favour raising taxes on the wealthy and that removing some loopholes and cleaning up the tax code would do the trick.

The Guardian

Crews sometimes stay at sea for as long as nine months and crew members typically work eight hours a day at their main duty plus an extra two to three hours cleaning fish.

The Guardian

Mr Shaad also criticised the Nigerian government for what he called lax standards in regulating the behaviour of oil companies, which have long stood accused of not cleaning up oil spills and pipeline blowouts.

The Guardian - Business

The former army general has campaigned as a born-again democrat intent on cleaning up the corrupt politics of the continent's largest economy and most populous nation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cleaning" in contexts where you want to emphasize the process of making something neat and tidy, like "The cleaning process took several hours."

Common error

Avoid using "cleaning" excessively in formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "purification", "sterilization", or "decontamination" might be more appropriate. Consider the context to ensure the word choice is accurate and professional.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cleaning" is a gerund or present participle, often functioning as a noun within a sentence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its versatility. It often indicates an ongoing action or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleaning" is a versatile term used to describe the act of removing dirt and impurities. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, more specific terms may be preferred in formal settings. Remember to use "cleaning" to describe the process of tidying and maintaining hygiene, but be mindful of overusing it in contexts that require more precise language. Explore related phrases like "tidying" and "cleansing" to diversify your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tidying

Focuses more on organizing and arranging, rather than removing dirt.

cleansing

Implies a more thorough and often ritualistic removal of impurities.

washing

Specifically refers to removing dirt with water or other liquid.

purifying

Suggests the removal of contaminants to make something pure.

sanitizing

Emphasizes the removal of germs and bacteria.

scrubbing

Involves vigorous rubbing to remove dirt or stains.

sweeping

Focuses on removing loose dirt or debris from a surface.

dusting

Specifically refers to removing dust.

mopping

Refers to cleaning a floor with a wet mop.

laundering

Specifically refers to washing clothes or linens.

FAQs

How is "cleaning" used as a noun?

As a noun, "cleaning" refers to the act or process of making something clean, such as "The spring cleaning took all weekend" or "A deep cleaning is required before we move in".

What are some verbs often associated with "cleaning"?

Common verbs associated with "cleaning" include "start", "finish", "do", "require", and "perform", as in "Start cleaning the kitchen" or "We need to do some cleaning".

What can I say instead of "cleaning" in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, you can use alternatives like "maintenance", "sanitation", or "housekeeping" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "cleaning" and "cleansing"?

"Cleaning" generally refers to removing dirt and debris, while "cleansing" often implies a deeper, more thorough removal of impurities, sometimes with a spiritual or ceremonial connotation.