cleaning the yard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleaning the yard" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun phrase and can function as the subject or object of a sentence. Example: "Cleaning the yard is my favorite chore on a sunny day." (subject) "I need to finish cleaning the yard before my guests arrive." (object).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Next up is cleaning the yard so it will be usable for the summer.

The New York Times

Whilst cleaning the yard found crumbling and (friable) fibro that had been partially buried.

The Guardian

I was cleaning the yard when I found a piece of paper with a bullet in an envelope addressed to my husband.

The Guardian

It did, however, manage to look into other crimes.In this section How to lose friends and alienate people No end in sight Cleaning the Yard ReprintsThe second charge levelled at the Met, if true, will be harder to excuse.

The Economist

So after cleaning the yard around his house — a big job, a gift to his wife — in the coming days he sat down and wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, supporting a noise-pollution ordinance.

The New York Times - Health

The Times and the Sunday Times collectively lose money (see chart 2).In this section How to lose friends and alienate people No end in sight Cleaning the Yard Reprints Related items The political fallout in Britain: No end in sightJul 14th 2011But newspapers are central to who Mr Murdoch is.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"We were like little slaves – we'd do gardening, cleaning the yards, all sorts of things," said Gregory.

The Guardian

It might be even cleaning the back yard or washing the car or simply word search.

WikiHow

They said overnight storage at the yard, cleaning the trains, the industrial lighting that would be necessary at the yard and the noise caused by the operation and by moving or idling trains would destroy the neighborhood.

The New York Times

Help balance out the workload by doing dishes, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, doing yard work, handling repairs, and so on.

WikiHow

Fixing up the yard, cleaning the siding, touching up the paint etc. can all wait for the spring.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleaning the yard" in your writing, consider the specific type of cleaning involved. For example, specify if it's raking leaves, removing debris, or general tidying.

Common error

Avoid using "cleaning the yard" when a more specific term would be appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "He was cleaning the yard", specify "He was mowing the lawn" or "He was weeding the garden" to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleaning the yard" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms it can be the subject or object of a sentence. Examples include sentences where it describes an activity or task.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cleaning the yard" functions as a gerund phrase, typically describing the activity of maintaining an outdoor space. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, noting its use as both subject and object in sentences. The phrase is commonly found in news articles and general writing, indicating a neutral register. While various alternatives exist, such as "yard cleanup" or "tidying the garden", "cleaning the yard" remains a straightforward and widely understood expression. Remember to specify the type of cleaning involved for clarity and to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yard cleanup

Focuses on the result of cleaning, implying a more thorough process.

clearing up the yard

Adds the particle "up" to "clearing" to imply a more complete removal of debris.

tidying the garden

Uses "tidying" and "garden" to suggest a less intensive cleaning of a cultivated area.

clearing the grounds

Employs "clearing" and "grounds" for a broader scope, possibly including more than just the yard.

garden cleanup

Specifically targets the garden area rather than the entire yard.

maintaining the yard

Shifts the focus to ongoing maintenance rather than a single cleaning event.

yard maintenance

Similar to "maintaining the yard", emphasizing upkeep.

doing yard work

Broadens the scope to include various tasks performed in the yard, not just cleaning.

outdoor cleanup

Expands the location beyond just the yard to any outdoor space.

yard duties

Replaces "cleaning" with a more general term for outdoor responsibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "cleaning the yard" in a sentence?

You can use "cleaning the yard" as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. For example, "Cleaning the yard is a good way to get exercise" or "I spent the afternoon cleaning the yard".

What are some alternatives to "cleaning the yard"?

You can use alternatives like "yard cleanup", "tidying the garden", or "clearing the grounds", depending on the specific context.

Is "cleaning the yard" formal or informal?

"Cleaning the yard" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What does "cleaning the yard" typically involve?

"Cleaning the yard" can involve various activities such as raking leaves, mowing the lawn, weeding, removing debris, and generally tidying the outdoor space to improve its appearance and functionality.