What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scrub
Example
I need to scrub the bathroom tiles to remove the mold. [scrub: verb]
Example
She scrubbed the pot with steel wool to remove the burnt food. [scrubbed: past tense]
Example
After gardening, I always scrub my hands to remove the dirt. [scrub: verb]
clean
Example
I need to clean the kitchen counters before cooking. [clean: verb]
Example
He cleaned the car's windshield with a cloth. [cleaned: past tense]
Example
It's important to keep your hands clean to prevent the spread of germs. [clean: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clean is more commonly used than scrub in everyday language. Clean is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scrub is more specific and refers to a particular type of cleaning activity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scrub and clean?
While scrub is typically associated with a more informal tone, clean is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
