Wash the dishes.

Meaning: This means to clean the items that were used for eating.

Choice of Words: Wash is a verb that means to clean something with water and soap. Dishes is a noun that refers to the plates, bowls, cups, and other items used for eating. When you put them together, "Wash the dishes" is a clear instruction asking someone to clean the dirty dishes.

Alternative Expressions

Please clean the dirty dishes.

Meaning: This means to politely ask someone to clean the plates, bowls, cups, and other things you use to eat and serve food that have become dirty.

Choice of Words: Please is a polite word used to make a request or ask for something. Clean is another word for wash, meaning to remove dirt or make something clean. Dirty means something is covered in dirt or other unwanted substances. Dishes refers to the same items as before. When you put them together, "Please clean the dirty dishes" is a polite request to clean the dishes that have become dirty after use.

Can you load the dishwasher?

Meaning: This means to ask someone if they can put the dirty plates, bowls, cups, and other things you use to eat and serve food into the dishwasher.

Choice of Words: Can is a modal verb that expresses ability or permission. You refers to the person you are speaking to. Load means to put something into a container, in this case, a dishwasher. Dishwasher is a machine that washes dishes. When you put them together, "Can you load the dishwasher?" is a question asking if someone is able and willing to put the dirty dishes into the dishwasher.

Related Expressions