are sorted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are sorted by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing how items or data are organized or arranged based on specific criteria. Example: "The results of the survey are sorted by age group to better analyze the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Results are sorted by cost and availability.

The New York Times - Travel

After a week or so, the answers are sorted by demographics.

The New York Times - Tech

They are sorted by color, creating the impression of a chic, modern boutique.

The New York Times

Here, apps are sorted by category.

TechCrunch

Questions are sorted by their relative difficulty.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Fires are sorted by total area burned.

Carbon Balance and Management

Classes are sorted by increasing frequency.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Results are sorted by most relevant and by date.

TechCrunch

The peaks are sorted by decreasing peak density.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

The test cells are sorted by decreasing density.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

all other documents are sorted by sim L field.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are sorted by", ensure the sorting criterion is clearly and explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are sorted by" without specifying what they are sorted by, this creates confusion. Always clarify the sorting criteria for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are sorted by" functions as a passive construction indicating how a set of items is arranged according to a particular criterion. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is commonly used in various contexts to specify the sorting method.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are sorted by" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe the arrangement of items based on specific criteria. As shown by Ludwig's AI analysis, it's prevalent in scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various applications. To enhance clarity, always specify the sorting criterion. Related phrases such as "are organized by" or "are classified by" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. In essence, "are sorted by" is a versatile tool for providing structured information, as validated by Ludwig, so remember to specify the method!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are organized based on

Indicates a structured arrangement with a specific foundation.

are arranged according to

Focuses on the method of arrangement, highlighting a specific order.

are ordered by

Implies a sequence or arrangement in a specific order.

are ranked by

Specifically refers to ordering based on a hierarchy or scale.

are classified by

Emphasizes categorization based on shared characteristics.

are grouped by

Highlights the act of forming groups based on similarities.

are categorized according to

Similar to "are classified by" but with a slightly more formal tone.

are indexed by

Highlights that items have a specific index or key for quick reference and sorting purposes.

follow a sorting criterion of

Highlights the existence of specific sorting instructions or rules.

are structured around

Focuses on the underlying framework guiding the arrangement.

FAQs

How to use "are sorted by" in a sentence?

Use "are sorted by" to describe how items are arranged according to a specific criterion. For example, "The search results "are sorted by relevance"" or "The books "are sorted by genre"".

What can I say instead of "are sorted by"?

You can use alternatives like "are arranged by", "are organized by", or "are classified by" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "are sorted by" and "are ordered by"?

"Are sorted by" and "are ordered by" are often interchangeable, but "are sorted by" is more commonly used when referring to an automated or computational process. "Are ordered by" is more general and can apply to any arrangement.

What is the best way to ensure clarity when using "are sorted by"?

To ensure clarity, always explicitly state the criterion used for sorting. For instance, instead of saying "The files are sorted", specify "The files "are sorted by date"" or "The data "are sorted by size"".