to be clean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be clean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing cleanliness, hygiene, or moral integrity. Example: "It is important to be clean in both body and mind to maintain a healthy lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Everything has to be clean and nice".

The New Yorker

The kitchen has to be clean".

The New York Times

"It has to be clean and simple".

The New York Times

You have to be clean and good".

The New York Times - Sports

The hit appeared to be clean.

The New York Times - Sports

"They have to be clean," she insisted.

The New York Times

"I want to be clean.

The New York Times - Health

"It has to be clean.

The New York Times - Style

It's going to be clean!

The Guardian - Sport

I only need things to be clean.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The kidney has to be clean".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be clean" in a context related to health, ensure you specify the area of cleanliness (e.g., "to be clean after handling raw meat").

Common error

Avoid using "to be clean" without specifying the context. For example, instead of saying "It is important to be clean", specify "It is important to be clean when preparing food" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to be clean" primarily functions as a predicate adjective complement, describing a state or quality. Ludwig examples show it used to express physical cleanliness, moral integrity, and freedom from addiction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be clean" is a versatile infinitive phrase used across diverse contexts, ranging from physical hygiene to moral uprightness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's very commonly found in news, wiki articles, and scientific publications. The phrase's meaning is highly context-dependent, so providing specific information or clarification when using this phrase is essential for clear communication. From Ludwig's examples, ensure precision by specifying the type of cleanliness you intend to communicate, whether it's about physical purity, moral integrity, or something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be sanitary

Emphasizes freedom from germs and harmful substances.

to maintain hygiene

Focuses specifically on the practice of maintaining cleanliness for health.

to be spotless

Emphasizes a complete lack of blemishes or dirt.

to be purified

Implies the removal of impurities and contaminants.

to be unsoiled

Highlights the absence of physical dirt or stains.

to keep tidy

Suggests maintaining order and neatness, a component of cleanliness.

to be neat

Focuses on order and arrangement rather than just the absence of dirt.

to be wholesome

Focuses on overall health and well-being, including cleanliness.

to be virtuous

Shifts the meaning to moral cleanliness and ethical behavior.

to be morally upright

Highlights moral integrity and ethical conduct.

FAQs

How can I use "to be clean" in a sentence?

You can use "to be clean" in sentences about hygiene, such as "It's important to wash your hands to be clean and prevent the spread of germs", or in sentences about moral integrity, such as "Politicians need "to be honest" and "to be clean" in their dealings.

What does it mean "to be clean" in the context of addiction recovery?

In the context of addiction recovery, "to be clean" means to be free from drugs or alcohol. Someone might say, "I've been working hard "to be sane", and it's the best decision I've ever made."

What are some alternatives to saying "to be clean"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "to be clean" could include "to be tidy", "to be sanitary", "to be honest", or "to be pure".

Is it always necessary to specify what "to be clean" refers to?

While not always grammatically necessary, specifying what "to be clean" refers to can provide clarity. For example, saying "the kitchen has to be clean" is clearer than simply saying "things have "to be less polluting"".