Meaning & use
clean vs clean up
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Used to compare the verb 'clean' (remove dirt from something) with the phrasal verb 'clean up' (make a place tidy or remove a mess).
Grammar: This is an usage note, not a sentence pattern. It contrasts two verbs: 'clean' takes a direct object (clean the window), while 'clean up' often has no object or takes a place as object (clean up the room).
I need to clean the kitchen before guests arrive, and then clean up after they leave.
She cleaned the table, but she didn't clean up the spilled milk on the floor.
After the party, we spent an hour cleaning up the living room.
Common combinations
- clean the house
- Every Saturday we clean the house from top to bottom.
- clean up the mess
- Please clean up the mess you made in the kitchen.
- clean up after someone
- I'm tired of cleaning up after my little brother.
- clean up your act
- He needs to clean up his act if he wants to keep his job.
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses 'clean up'?
Choose one answer.
'Clean up' is used for making a place tidy or removing a mess, so 'cleaned up the room' fits. The other options describe removing dirt from objects, which takes 'clean' (cleaned the dishes, cleaned the car, cleaned the mirror).
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “clean vs clean up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.