categorize by

USAGE SUMMARY

"categorize by" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to arrange or sort items into groups based on a shared attribute or characteristic. For example, "We can categorize the books in the library by genre."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human Nature

The New Yorker

Stanford University

TechCrunch

Journal of Economic Structures

University of Chicago

Los Angeles Times

Huffington Post

HuffPost

Environmental Health Perspectives

BMC Cancer

Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience

WikiHow

Environmental Health Perspectives

The New York Times

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Duke University

Forbes

BBC

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

For each subject we calculate a single categorization score, which indexes the degree to which subjects implicitly categorize by the four tenure lengths.

Human Nature

For example, they categorize by type.

The New Yorker

About winter, McCartney says, "I categorize by pattern, shape, and line rather than merely by substance".

The New Yorker

Founding member, Jason Swinscoe, and longtime musical collaborator, Dominic Smith, are back with the English group's first album since 2007's acclaimed breakthrough, "Ma Fleur". This is exquisite, lush, jazzy, sometimes soulful, orchestral electronica, which is difficult to categorize by genre.

Stanford University

9 59 – Categorize by specific columns now.

TechCrunch

The demand for electricity after 2000 is difficult to categorize by type of use, owing to the lack of data following the deregulation of retail electric power in that year.

Journal of Economic Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

They cannot be categorized by style.

The New York Times

Tequilas are also categorized by age.

The New York Times

Six classes were categorized by value.

Stanford University

Studies are categorized by different plate shapes.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The rest are categorized by course, from appetizers to desserts.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "categorize by", ensure that the criteria for categorization are clear and consistently applied to maintain accuracy and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid mixing different categorization criteria within the same context. Stick to a single, well-defined attribute to maintain clarity and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "categorize by" functions as a phrasal verb with a preposition, indicating the method or criterion used to group items into specific categories. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard English grammar. Example: "You'll want to categorize by vendor, application name, customer (LOB), and time."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Human Nature

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "categorize by" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to specify the criteria for grouping items. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples provided illustrate its usage across diverse fields, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "classify by" or ""sort by"" may be suitable depending on context, "categorize by" remains a clear and versatile choice. Remember to define the categorization criteria clearly to maintain consistency and avoid confusion. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, making it important to follow best practices, to improve clarity when communicating, especially in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

classify according to

This alternative emphasizes a structured approach to categorization based on predefined criteria.

group based on

This option highlights the formation of groups as a result of the categorization process.

sort by type

This phrase specifically refers to arranging items based on their type or kind.

arrange by

This suggests a systematic placement of items according to certain standards.

organize according to

This stresses the structured nature of the organizing principle influencing categorization.

divide by

This implies separation into distinct groups, determined by specified characteristics.

separate by

Similar to "divide by", this stresses the act of setting apart based on qualities.

list by

This alternative highlights a structured approach to creating lists following a particular categorization.

index by

This alternative implies creating an index according to a specific criterion for categorization.

distinguish by

This emphasizes differentiation as the core aspect of the categorization process.

FAQs

How do I use "categorize by" in a sentence?

Use "categorize by" to indicate the criteria used for sorting items into groups, such as "We can categorize the data "sort by" date or type."

What are some alternatives to "categorize by"?

You can use phrases like "classify according to", "group based on", or "sort by type" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "categorize by" or "classify by"?

"Categorize by" and "classify by" are often interchangeable, but "classify" often implies a more formal or scientific approach, while "categorize" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "categorize by" and "organize by"?

"Categorize by" focuses on grouping items into categories, while "organize by" suggests a broader arrangement or structure. You might "categorize by" color and then "arrange by" size within each category.