clean vs clear

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Anonymous  #264185  Fri, 08 Sep 06 01:49 PM
Hi! Does anybody know what's the difference between clean and clear? They seem the same to me.Do they differ only in the words they collocate with?


  
Aperisic  #264198  Fri, 08 Sep 06 03:04 PM

clear  

free from what dims, transparent, free from clouds

clean  

not dirty, unadulterated, free of infection, washed

  
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Clive  #264382  Fri, 08 Sep 06 10:53 PM

Hi,

I can understand why this might be a little confusing in certain contexts. Let me offer you this example.

Tom cleared the table. Basically, he removed the dishes, glasses, cutlery. The table was now uncluttered.

Tom cleaned the table. After the table was cleared, Tom cleaned the table. (He wiped it with a damp cloth.) 

Best wishes, Clive

  
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LanguageAngel  #265058  Sun, 10 Sep 06 06:03 PM

Put it in simple terms...although there are a lot of meaning, but I'll just give some basic ones

Clear:

1. Transparent (able to be seen through)

2. Obvious (easy to understand)

Clean:

1. Not messy (this is an adjective)

2. To organize (Verb)

  
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