sieve out

USAGE SUMMARY

"sieve out" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It means to remove or separate something by passing it through a sieve. Here is an example sentence: I sieved out the small rocks and pebbles from the soil.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

You can't sieve out the apparently unconscionable and hope to be left with anything other than a sanitised half-truth.

The Guardian

Firstly, strict exclusion criteria may be imposed to sieve out waveforms with artefacts.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The AGA and Lyapunov algorithms were utilized to sieve out the global energy minimum approach from the numerous, raw docking sites.

Computers in Biology and Medicine

Our study planned to further sieve out what constitutes a good mentor in service learning and how mentors can effectively guide the project without spoon-feeding the students.

Global Health Action

In contrast to our method, they discretize the space of possible matrices A. Observations are used to sieve out candidates which are not "consistent" with all measurements so far.

BMC Systems Biology

In other words, almost none of the data that Soria-Carrasco and Castresana examined fit the metaphor of a tree, but they nonetheless filtered their observations to sieve out only those that were compatible with their preconceived notion that the evolutionary process is tree-like in both groups.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Soon I'll clean the seed by picking away or sieving out any detritus.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The finest particles, called break flour, are sieved out and bagged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes before sieving out the camomile flowers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If the bags are still visible when you want to use the compost, they can be sieved out or picked off the surface of the soil.

The Guardian

Mr Wade said: "Despite the server sieving out fresh scraps from the same fryer the fish came out of, they wouldn't serve me them".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sieve out" when you want to emphasize the process of separating smaller particles or elements from a larger mass, often with the aid of a physical tool or metaphorical equivalent. For instance, "sieve out the noise to find the signal."

Common error

Don't use "sieve out" when a simple "remove" or "extract" would suffice. "Sieve out" implies a degree of refinement and separation that isn't always necessary or accurate. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sieve out" primarily functions as a process descriptor, indicating an action of separation or filtering. As Ludwig AI indicates, it refers to removing or separating something, especially unwanted elements, by passing it through a sieve or a similar filtering mechanism. The examples from Ludwig showcase its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33.3%

News & Media

33.3%

Wiki

16.7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8.3%

Formal & Business

8.3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sieve out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a separation or filtering process, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable term. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from scientific writing to news reports. While alternatives like "filter out" or "screen out" exist, "sieve out" emphasizes the method of separation, providing a more precise image. Remember to use it when the concept of refining or purifying through separation is central to your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filter out

Implies a more general removal process, not necessarily using a sieve.

screen out

Suggests a selection process where only certain things are allowed to pass.

separate out

A broader term for distinguishing and removing elements.

extract

Focuses on obtaining a specific component from a mixture.

remove

A simple term for taking something away.

weed out

Suggests removing undesirable elements.

winnow

Implies separating grain from chaff, a more specific type of separation.

strain out

Suggests using a filter to remove solids from a liquid.

segregate

Emphasizes the act of keeping things apart.

isolate

Focuses on setting something apart from its surroundings.

FAQs

How can I use "sieve out" in a sentence?

You can use "sieve out" to describe the process of separating something from a mixture, like "We need to sieve out the impurities from the water." It can also be used metaphorically, as in "The committee will sieve out the unqualified candidates".

What's a good alternative to "sieve out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "filter out", "screen out", or "extract".

What does "sieve out" mean?

"Sieve out" means to separate or remove unwanted elements from a mixture, often using a sieve. It can also be used figuratively to describe a selection or filtering process.

Is "sieve out" formal or informal?

"Sieve out" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.