totally clean

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally clean" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it typically means completely free from dirt, stains, or impurities. Example: I just spent all day scrubbing the kitchen, and now it's totally clean. There's not a speck of dirt anywhere.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I have total confidence that all my rivals are totally clean," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"And he was totally clean".

The New York Times

We've gotten totally clean, too clean".

The New York Times - Food

"I was totally clean then," Sprouse says.

The New York Times - Magazine

It feels historically preserved; it's very sparse and totally clean.

The New York Times

My hands aren't totally clean in this, either".

The New Yorker

"I am totally clean and sober," she told Mr. Letterman.

The New York Times

It's impossible to have a totally clean aftermath.

The New Yorker

Referring to Ellis, Hodge added: "From everything I know, he runs a totally clean program.

The New York Times - Sports

"I want to be totally clean with French justice," Mr. Tenenbaum said.

The New York Times

We have been for all these years a totally clean union".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally clean" to describe a metaphorical situation (e.g., a political record), ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation. Emphasize the specific aspect that is free from fault or corruption.

Common error

Avoid using "totally clean" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language is appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "completely unblemished" or "entirely purified" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally clean" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "totally" modifies the adjective "clean", intensifying its meaning to indicate a complete absence of dirt, impurities, or other unwanted elements. Ludwig provides numerous examples confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally clean" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase that functions as an adverb-adjective combination. It's primarily used to emphasize the completeness of cleanliness or purity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in news and media, but is versatile enough for both informal and professional use, though more formal contexts might benefit from more sophisticated alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure clarity to prevent misinterpretations, especially in metaphorical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely spotless

Emphasizes the absence of any spots or blemishes.

entirely unblemished

Highlights the lack of any marks or imperfections.

perfectly pristine

Suggests an original and untouched state of cleanliness.

immaculately pure

Focuses on the flawless and unadulterated nature.

absolutely sterile

Indicates a complete absence of living microorganisms.

thoroughly cleansed

Highlights the action of cleaning to a complete extent.

scrupulously hygienic

Emphasizes careful attention to cleanliness and hygiene.

wholly purified

Suggests a complete removal of impurities.

utterly immaculate

Stresses the absolute perfection in cleanliness.

pristine condition

Highlights the flawless state of something.

FAQs

How can I use "totally clean" in a sentence?

You can use "totally clean" to describe something that is completely free from dirt, stains, or impurities. For example: "After hours of scrubbing, the kitchen was "totally clean"."

What are some alternatives to "totally clean"?

Alternatives to "totally clean" include phrases like "completely spotless", "entirely unblemished", or "perfectly pristine", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "totally clean"?

Yes, "totally clean" is grammatically correct. "Totally" is an adverb modifying the adjective "clean", indicating the degree or extent of cleanliness.

When is it appropriate to use "totally clean" versus "perfectly clean"?

"Totally clean" emphasizes the completeness of the cleaning, while "perfectly clean" suggests an ideal or flawless state. Use "totally clean" when you want to highlight that something is completely free from dirt, and "perfectly clean" when you want to convey that something is cleaned to an exceptional standard.