word meaning

AnonymousWhat does ‘cleanse’ mean

http://onelook.com/?w=cleanse&ls=a

AnonymousDoes ‘cleansing here mean ‘removing’?

That's part of the meaning. Like 'cleaning', 'cleansing' has to do with removing undesirable substances. In the case of this par

Thanks a lot, CJ. That topic has been confusing me.

CalifJimThat's part of the meaning. Like 'cleaning', 'cleansing' has to do with removing undesirable substances. In the case of this particular sentence, those substances are "toxins".

Why is this sentence correct?: The best way to cleanse the body of toxins is by not consuming them.

And this se

The relevant alternation is this the following; one form takes "of" to introduce the complement; the other form takes "from". The meanings are more or less equivalent.

to cleanse the body of toxins
to cleanse toxins from the body

Other verbs that can take this alternation are clean, clear, and drain.

to clear the table of

CalifJimThe relevant alternation is this the following; one form takes "of" to introduce the complement; the other form takes "from". The meanings are more or less equivalent.

Got it. That was very helpful.

What about this sentence, why is it wrong: The best way to cleanse (out) the toxins in the body is by not consuming them.

Do you

AnonymousDo you mean by the relevant alternation is that “in’ is not one of them and thus not possible in this case?

Correct. Not if you want the same meaning.

To cleanse [the toxins in the body] is to make [the toxins in the body] cleaner. That is not cleansing toxins from the body. It is not cleansing [toxins in the body] from the b

CalifJimCorrect. Not if you want the same meaning.

I see.

CalifJimTo cleanse [the toxins in the body] is to make [the toxins in the body] cleaner. That is not cleansing toxins from the body. It is not cleansing [toxins in the body] from the body.

So the word ‘from’ alters the entire meaning. The use of ‘from’ means removing

AnonymousSo the word ‘from’ alters the entire meaning. The use of ‘from’ means removing the toxins out of the body; the use of ‘in’ would give the meaning of cleaning the toxins in the body - and not removing them as with the word ‘from’. I think I finally understood, Am I right?

Yes. That's exactly it.

CJ

CalifJimYes. That's exactly it.

Your teaching and explanation is one of a kind, CJ.

AnonymousSeems like “in’ works with ‘to get rid’. Does it?

The sentence is correct, but "in" doesn't go with "get rid". "of" goes with "get rid". "in the body" goes with "toxins".

To [get rid of] [the toxins in the body].

CJ

CalifJimThe sentence is correct, but "in" doesn't go with "get rid". "of" goes with "get rid". "in the body" goes with "toxins".

Thanks, CJ.

Yes, I meant that using ‘to get rid of’ instead of ‘to cleanse’ and ‘in’ instead of ‘from” would work, as below:

To cleanse toxins from the body.
To get rid of the toxi