cleaning away

USAGE SUMMARY

"cleaning away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of removing dirt, debris, or clutter from a specific area. Example: After the party, they spent hours cleaning away the empty cups and plates scattered around the living room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Finish the job by cleaning away all residue and smears with a clean, dry cloth.

The New York Times

One armed bandits collecting plastic, cleaning away the day.

The Guardian - Travel

Formula.409: For cleaning away the stink of Atlanta's 2014 season!

The Guardian - Sport

The surface secretion may help in capturing food, adhering to substrates, cleaning away settling debris, or providing support and protection.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No surprise that the Vote Leave campaign's homepage has wiped speeches and pledges, cleaning away their filthy footprints.

The Guardian - Opinion

Microgrippers could also be important for lab-on-a-chip applications for example, moving samples around a chip or cleaning away debris.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And follow up with appropriate solvent cleaning afterwords to clean away any oxidation residue.

WikiHow

Wet the tissue before cleaning tears away.

WikiHow

Keep the glasses cleaning liquid away from small children.

WikiHow

Two months ago, her 2-year-old son did the deed while Ms. Brophy was a few feet away cleaning up breakfast in their Irvington, N.Y., home: He pried off the top of the can, then dumped a fast-spreading puddle of oily blackness onto the dining room rug.

The New York Times

Cleaning women cleared away the Seder dishes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleaning away", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and from where. For example: "cleaning away the snow from the driveway".

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "cleaning away". Consider more precise verbs like "removing" or "clearing" for enhanced clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleaning away" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe an action of removing or tidying. It denotes the process of getting rid of unwanted substances, materials, or mess, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

29%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

HuffPost

6%

TechCrunch

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cleaning away" is a common and correct verb phrase used to describe the act of removing something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, it's important to consider context and audience, opting for more precise alternatives in formal writing. Common uses range from describing physical cleaning to metaphorical removal of negative elements. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearing off

Focuses more on removing something from a surface.

wiping clean

Emphasizes the action of wiping to achieve cleanliness.

tidying up

Suggests a general act of making something neat and orderly.

removing debris

Specifically targets the removal of unwanted fragments or waste.

sweeping up

Implies using a broom or brush to gather and remove loose material.

washing off

Involves using water to remove dirt or substances.

scraping off

Indicates the forceful removal of a stuck substance with a tool.

dusting off

Focuses on removing dust from a surface.

picking up

Describes the act of gathering scattered items.

eradicating

Implies removing something completely or permanently.

FAQs

How can I use "cleaning away" in a sentence?

You can use "cleaning away" to describe the act of removing something from a surface or area, such as "cleaning away the dirt" or "cleaning away the clutter".

What are some alternatives to "cleaning away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "clearing off", "wiping clean", or "tidying up".

Is "cleaning away" formal or informal?

"Cleaning away" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both informal and neutral writing. However, in formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives.

How does "cleaning away" differ from "cleaning up"?

"Cleaning away" specifically emphasizes the act of removing something, while "cleaning up" is a more general term for making something neat and tidy.