filter through

USAGE SUMMARY

"filter through" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of something passing through a filter or a porous material like a sieve in order to separate a substance from a mixture. For example, "After adding flour, sugar and cocoa powder to a bowl, the baker slowly poured the mixture through a sieve so that any large clumps of flour could filter through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those price increases would filter through everywhere.

The New York Times

"It will filter through the whole system.

The New York Times

I feel despair filter through me.

The Guardian - Books

Other details continue to filter through.

The New Yorker

Just allow that to filter through.

The Guardian

Those lessons filter through her campaign.

The New York Times

Doubtless some of this will filter through.

The Guardian - Arts

These are already starting to filter through.

The Guardian - Tech

The implications were slow to filter through," he says.

The Guardian

But the message is starting to filter through.

The Guardian

And that could eventually filter through to the politicians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filter through" when describing a process of selection or gradual penetration, whether literal (like liquid through a filter) or figurative (like information reaching the public).

Common error

Avoid using "filter through" interchangeably with verbs like "permeate" or "diffuse" if you want to emphasize a process of selection or a physical barrier. While related, these verbs convey slightly different nuances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filter through" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes a process where something passes through a medium, often implying a selection or gradual dissemination. As seen in Ludwig, it's used both literally (liquid filtering through material) and figuratively (information or emotions spreading).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filter through" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the process of something passing through a medium, often implying selection or gradual dissemination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, but also in scientific and business contexts, making it suitable for a range of registers. Be mindful of subtle differences in meaning compared to similar verbs like "permeate" or "trickle down". Use “filter through” when you want to emphasize this selective or gradual movement of something into somewhere. Understanding these nuances will enhance your writing precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass through

Emphasizes the act of moving from one point to another, similar to something going through a medium.

permeate

Suggests a more gradual and widespread penetration than "filter through".

sift through

Highlights the selection aspect, like examining items one by one.

trickle down

Implies a top-down effect where something gradually reaches lower levels.

seep through

Suggests a slow and often unnoticed penetration or leakage.

percolate

Conveys a slow process of something spreading or becoming known.

strain

Focuses on the removal of unwanted elements while allowing the desired ones to pass.

screen

Highlights a deliberate process of selecting or rejecting items.

winnow

Suggests separating valuable parts from unwanted ones, like separating grain from chaff.

diffuse

Indicates a wider spreading or scattering of something.

FAQs

How can I use "filter through" in a sentence?

"Filter through" is often used to describe information or effects spreading gradually, as in "The news began to filter through the town" or to describe a liquid removing solids like in "The coffee will "filter through" the paper filter".

What's the difference between "filter through" and "pass through"?

"Filter through" often implies a selection process, where some things are retained while others pass. "Pass through" is a more general term for moving from one point to another without necessarily implying selection or retention. For example, light can "pass through" glass, whereas water can "filter through" sand.

What are some alternatives to "filter through" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sift through" (for selecting), "permeate" (for gradual spread), or "trickle down" (for top-down effects).

Is it correct to use "filter through" when talking about emotions?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable. For example, one might say, "A wave of sadness began to "filter through" me". In this case, it's meant that the feeling is slowly reaching the person and filling its entire emotional state.