這兩個詞都可用作形容詞、動詞或副詞,意義相近,故易混淆.
Clean的本義是“清潔干凈”,強(qiáng)調(diào)沒有塵污,其反義詞是dirty；clear的本義是“不模糊”、“不難解”,即：“清晰”、“明白”故前者的同義詞是neat和tidy；后者的同義詞是obvious和apparent.例：
Everything is spotlessly clean in their room．
他們的房間里樣樣?xùn)|西都是一塵不染.
It is essential that we keep the city clean and green．
重要的是我們應(yīng)保持城市整潔和綠化.
Her pronunciation is clear and her words are understandable．
她的發(fā)音清晰,話也易懂.
Do I make myself clear on this point?
關(guān)于這一點(diǎn)我說清楚了嗎?
Clean作動詞用時義為“清潔/使清潔”；clear作動詞時,義為“清除”或“轉(zhuǎn)晴”,作副詞時,義：“清楚地”、“完全地”.例：
The rubbish must be cleared away．
一定要把這些垃圾清除掉.
It will clear up in no time．
天氣即將放晴.
A bullet went clear through the stone wall．
有一顆子彈完全穿過了石墻.
如所周知,clear的另一副詞是clearly,但在下列語句中,應(yīng)用副詞clear,而不用clearly：
ten feet clear足足有十英呎
They cried clear through the night．
他們整整哭了一個晚上.
It vanished clear away（=clean away）．
它完全消失不見了.
He spoke loud and clear．
他講得既響亮,又清楚.
值得注意的是,如果clear之前用另一副詞very或quite,就必須將clear改為clearly,即：
He spoke very（or quite）clearly．