Look at these words. Which word is the base word clean with an ending added?
- clans
- clowns
- clearly
- cleaning (correct answer)
Explanation: Cleaning is correct because it is the word clean with the ending ing added. Clans, clowns, and clearly all sound a little like clean but are different words with their own meanings. None of them are formed by adding an ending to clean. Cleaning is the only word built from clean.