clean of + unwanted thing
Free from something
Use clean of to mean that something undesirable has been removed.
The report was clean of major errors.
clean with, in, for, or of
Clean combines with several prepositions depending on the meaning. Clean of is common for removal, while other prepositions often introduce extra information.
Quick answer
Which prepositions follow clean?
Use clean of for something removed or absent. Use clean with for something covering a surface. In and for usually introduce context rather than fixed adjective patterns.
The water is clean of harmful chemicals.
His boots were clean with fresh mud.
The kitchen is clean for the inspection.
His boots were clean with fresh mud.
The kitchen is clean for the inspection.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
clean with + substance
Covered or filled with something
With can describe what is present on a surface.
The child's hands were clean with soap bubbles.
clean in + area
Clean within a place or respect
In usually introduces the area or respect being discussed.
The hotel is remarkably clean in the public areas.
clean for + purpose
Suitable or prepared for something
For often explains purpose or readiness rather than forming a fixed adjective phrase.
The room is clean for tonight's guests.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
clean of
The engine is clean of dust.
free from something unwanted
clean with
Her face was clean with rainwater.
covered or filled with something
clean in
The restaurant is clean in every area.
clean regarding a particular area
clean for
Everything is clean for the ceremony.
prepared or suitable for an event
clean up
We need to clean up the garage.
phrasal verb meaning tidy or remove dirt
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Confusing clean and clean up
Clean is an adjective here, while clean up is a verb phrase.
✕ The room is clean up. ✓ The room is clean.Using clean with instead of clean of
Use of when you mean free from something.
✕ The sample is clean with bacteria. ✓ The sample is clean of bacteria.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The air was clean ___ smoke.
2. The table was clean ___ paint stains.
3. We spent the afternoon trying to ___ the attic.
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Frequently asked questions
Is clean up an adjective?
Usually no. Clean up is normally a phrasal verb, as in clean up the kitchen.
Can I say clean with dust?
Yes, but it means covered with dust, not free from dust.
What is the difference between clean of and free of?
Both mean without something unwanted. Free of is more common in everyday English.
Related preposition guides
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