neat and clean

USAGE SUMMARY

"neat and clean" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use "neat and clean" to describe something that is organized, orderly, and free of dirt or clutter. It can also be used to describe someone's appearance or behavior. Example sentence: I was impressed by how neat and clean Jane's desk was, with everything in its proper place and no dust in sight.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Discourage roaches by keeping your home neat and clean.

Stanford University

Make sure your business cards are neat and clean.

Yale University

Most of the works are neat and clean.

The New Yorker

I can't stand a house that isn't neat and clean.

The New Yorker

The reboot has been anything but neat and clean.

The New York Times - Sports

The pictures made in water are neat and clean.

The New York Times - Arts

"Ghost stories are not neat and clean," she added.

The New York Times

He's neat and clean, as you can see, and doesn't have any terrible diseases.

The New Yorker

To say she was a neat and clean freak doesn't do the words justice.

The New York Times

That way, Ms. Hayon said, "there's structure within the pantry, and everything looks neat and clean".

The New York Times

Everything has to be neat and clean.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a space or object, use "neat and clean" to convey a sense of orderliness and hygiene, especially in contexts where both aspects are important. For example, "The operating room must be neat and clean to prevent infection."

Common error

While "neat and clean" is a valid and clear phrase, avoid overusing it in writing. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "orderly", "tidy", or "immaculate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neat and clean" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to describe their state of orderliness and hygiene. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used to depict something organized, orderly, and free of dirt or clutter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "neat and clean" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is both orderly and free from dirt, Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly used as a compound adjective, it serves to describe and evaluate subjects, implying a positive assessment of their state. While the register is generally neutral, usage spans from informal WikiHow articles to more formal news reports. The phrase is most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media contexts. To avoid redundancy, alternatives like "orderly and tidy" or "spotless and orderly" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean and organized

Swaps the order of the adjectives and slightly emphasizes organization.

orderly and tidy

Replaces "clean" with "tidy", focusing on the arrangement and organization of things.

spotless and orderly

Emphasizes the complete absence of dirt and a high degree of organization.

immaculate and organized

Uses more formal terms to convey a sense of pristine condition and careful arrangement.

well-kept and tidy

Focuses on the maintenance and tidiness of something, suggesting ongoing care.

pristine and uncluttered

Highlights the absence of clutter and a state of original purity.

shipshape and Bristol fashion

An idiomatic phrase that means everything is in good order, reflecting a nautical origin.

spick and span

An idiomatic phrase emphasizing newness and cleanliness.

crisp and tidy

Implies a fresh, sharp appearance alongside tidiness.

well-groomed and tidy

Suggests a focus on personal appearance and tidiness.

FAQs

How can I use "neat and clean" in a sentence?

You can use "neat and clean" to describe a space, object, or person that is both tidy and free from dirt. For example, "The kitchen was surprisingly neat and clean after the party" or "He always keeps his desk neat and clean".

What's the difference between "tidy and clean" versus "neat and clean"?

While both phrases are similar, "neat and clean" often implies a higher degree of orderliness and organization than "tidy and clean". "Neat" suggests careful arrangement, whereas "tidy" simply means things are in their place.

What are some alternatives to saying "neat and clean"?

You can use alternatives like "orderly and tidy", "spotless and orderly", or "immaculate and organized" depending on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "neat and clean"? Aren't they basically the same thing?

While there is some overlap, "neat" emphasizes order and arrangement, while "clean" focuses on the absence of dirt or mess. Using both words reinforces the idea of a space or object being both organized and hygienic. The slight redundancy contributes to emphasis and clarity.