sort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to categorizing or organizing items or information in a particular order or type. Example: "We need to sort the files by date before archiving them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before adjourning for sentencing, Judge Timothy Pontius said: "I emphasise very firmly that the fact I'm releasing you on bail should not serve as any sort of indication of what the sentence will be".

The Guardian

"It was sort of tipped open at the front".

The Guardian - Tech

It was nothing of the sort.

The New York Times - Arts

"Those who oppose this sort of action need to think about what they are condoning".

The New York Times

"That sort of thing".

The New York Times

So this sort of makes it alright.

The Guardian

There will be all sorts of obstacles to the sort of Iranian-American relations that the Saudis fear.

The Guardian

"I wanted to do some sort of pay-it-forward kind of thing", Vorobyov said Sunday.

The Guardian - Opinion

A sort of towels-on-the-sunlounger tussle writ large.

The Guardian - Travel

During the subsequent eight years, the question of what sort of music it is appropriate for an Idol winner to record and release has been front and centre of Clarkson's career.

The Guardian - Music

This is much worse than apathy: a sort of emotional CJD.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sort" to mean 'arrange', consider the specific context to determine the most appropriate method of sorting (e.g., alphabetically, numerically, chronologically).

Common error

Avoid using "sort of" excessively in formal writing, as it can come across as vague or hesitant. Instead, opt for more precise language to convey your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "sort" functions primarily as a verb to indicate the action of arranging items systematically, or as a noun referring to a particular type or class. Ludwig AI shows that it is commonly used in various contexts to describe organization and categorization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sort" is a versatile term used both as a verb and a noun, primarily for arranging items or referring to a type or kind. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts, mainly in news, business, and scientific domains. While versatile, users should be mindful of its formality, avoiding overuse in overly formal writing by using more precise language. Alternative words include "classify", "arrange", and "categorize", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

categorize

Highlights the process of assigning items to predefined categories.

classify

Focuses on systematically placing items into specific categories.

organize

Suggests structuring and coordinating items for efficiency.

arrange

Emphasizes the act of putting things in a particular order or sequence.

order

Stresses the creation of a specific sequence or arrangement.

group

Implies gathering items together based on shared characteristics.

handle

Focuses on managing or dealing with a task or problem.

resolve

Highlights finding a solution or settling a matter.

settle

Implies reaching a conclusion or agreement.

straighten out

Suggests correcting or clarifying a confusing situation.

FAQs

How to use "sort" in a sentence?

You can use "sort" as a verb, meaning to arrange things in a particular order, or as a noun, referring to a type or kind. For example, "Please sort the documents alphabetically" or "That was a strange sort of behavior".

What can I say instead of "sort"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "classify", "arrange", or "categorize" when referring to arranging items. When referring to a type or kind, consider using "type", "kind", or "variety".

Which is correct, "sort" or "kind"?

"Sort" and "kind" are often interchangeable, but "kind" is generally more common in everyday speech. Both refer to a class or type of something. For example, "What sort of music do you like?" is similar to "What kind of music do you like?"

What's the difference between "sort of" and "kind of"?

"Sort of" and "kind of" are both used as qualifiers to soften a statement or express approximation. They are largely interchangeable, but "kind of" might be perceived as slightly more informal. For example, "I'm sort of tired" is very similar in meaning to "I'm kind of tired".