这两个词都可用作形容词、动词或副词,意义相近,故易混淆。
Clean的本义是"清洁干净",强调没有尘污,其反义词是dirty;clear的本义是"不模糊"、"不难解",即:"清晰"、"明白"故前者的同义词是neat和tidy;后者的同义词是obvious和apparent。例:
Everything is spotlessly clean in their room.
It is essential that we keep the city clean and green.
Her pronunciation is clear and her words are understandable.
Do I make myself clear on this point?
Clean作动词用时义为"清洁/使清洁";clear作动词时,义为"清除"或"转晴",作副词时,义:"清楚地"、"完全地"。例:
The rubbish must be cleared away.
It will clear up in no time.
A bullet went clear through the stone wall.
如所周知,clear的另一副词是clearly,但在下列语句中,应用副词clear,而不用clearly:
They cried clear through the night.
It vanished clear away(=clean away).
值得注意的是,如果clear之前用另一副词very或quite,就必须将clear改为clearly,即:
He spoke very(or quite)clearly.