wash the car

Meaning

This phrase means to clean the outside of an automobile using water, soap, and a sponge or cloth. It is a very common household chore that people do at home or at a commercial car wash. It is used in everyday, casual conversations when talking about weekend plans or chores.

Examples

• I need to wash the car this weekend because it is very dirty.

  I need to wash the car this weekend because it is very dirty.

• Could you help me wash the car before we go to the supermarket?

  Could you help me wash the car before we go to the supermarket?

• It is going to rain tomorrow, so don't wash the car today.

  It is going to rain tomorrow, so don't wash the car today.

• My dad pays me ten dollars every time I wash the car for him.

  My dad pays me ten dollars every time I wash the car for him.

• We usually wash the car in the driveway on sunny Sunday mornings.

  We usually wash the car in the driveway on sunny Sunday mornings.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am going to wash car now.

  ✓ I am going to wash the car now.

  In English, you must use the definite article 'the' before 'car' because you are talking about a specific, known vehicle.

• ✗ I want to bathe the car.

  ✓ I want to wash the car.

  The verb 'bathe' is only used for humans or animals. For vehicles and objects, we use the verb 'wash'.

• ✗ He washed the car inside.

  ✓ He cleaned the inside of the car.

  We use 'wash the car' specifically for cleaning the outside with water. For the interior, we say 'clean the inside' or 'vacuum the car'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is a beautiful, sunny day, so I think I will ___ in the driveway.

  💡 Clean the outside of your vehicle with water and soap.

  Show answer

  wash the car

• My brother promised to ___ if I let him borrow it tonight.

  💡 Make the vehicle clean on the outside.

  Show answer

  wash the car