Find English Teachers
Aureli Sánchez
What is the difference between do the laundry and do the washing-up?
I think that doing the laundry and doing the washing-up means the same (it means cleaning the clothes) and doing the washing up means cleaning the plates. Is this true?
Nov 17, 2013 1:08 PM
Answers · 10
2
Almost.
"The washing" is a noun that refers to the clothes that need to be, or just were, washed.
"Do the washing" and "do the laundry“ are the same (ie. cleaning clothes).
"Wash up" is a phrasal verb that refers to cleaning the dishes. I guess you could say "doing the washing up", but I think "washing up" is better.
November 17, 2013
2
Yes, doing the laundry means washing the clothes and doing the washing-up meaning washing the dishes. In the US we tend to say "doing the dishes" instead of "doing the washing-up".
November 17, 2013
1
"Doing the laundry" means "doing the washing".
"Doing the dishes" means "doing the washing-up".
One little word changes the sentence entirely. ;)
November 17, 2013
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Aureli Sánchez
Language Skills
Catalan, English, Spanish
Learning Language
Articles You May Also Like

Speak More Fluently with This Simple Technique
3 likes · 0 Comments

How to Read and Understand a Business Contract in English
10 likes · 2 Comments

6 Ways italki Can Help You Succeed in Your School Language Classes
12 likes · 6 Comments
More articles