sort by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort by" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to order a set of items in a particular way, such as alphabetically, numerically, or according to a certain criteria. For example: "Please sort the books by author."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Choose "Sort By Name" to reorder the list.

The New York Times - Tech

FlipKey.com has a great last-minute-deal section that allows you to sort by destination.

The New York Times - Travel

Sort by birthdays, milestones and seasons.

Forbes

You can't sort by price.

TechCrunch

Search | Sort by: Rank | Name | Worth | Country.

Forbes

Sort by recently read, author or title.

TechCrunch

Search | Sort by: Rank | Sales | Profits | Assets | Market Value.

Forbes

You can also sort by events and friends.

TechCrunch

This paper is concerned with optimizing a given path of this sort by post-processing.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

BEST: The sort-by-price function is handy for bargain hunters.

Forbes

They were expected to complete the Q-sort by themselves based on the provided instruction.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sort by", ensure the criterion for sorting is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "sort by importance", specify "sort by order of importance".

Common error

Avoid using overly general terms when specifying the sorting criteria. For example, don't say "sort by relevance"; instead, specify "sort by relevance to the current topic" to provide a more precise instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort by" functions as a directive or instruction, guiding the user to organize or arrange items according to a specified criterion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

34%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sort by" is a grammatically sound and versatile directive used to instruct the organization of items based on specified criteria. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread. Predominantly found in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various applications. When using "sort by", ensure the sorting criteria is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. For alternative phrasing, consider "order according to" or "arrange by" to provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

order according to

Focuses on the act of arranging items in a specific sequence based on a defined standard.

arrange by

Emphasizes the physical or logical placement of items in a particular order.

categorize by

Highlights the process of grouping items into distinct classes or categories.

classify based on

Stresses the systemic assignment of items to different categories following specific rules.

group by

Focuses on assembling items into collections based on shared attributes.

organize by

Highlights the structured arrangement of items to improve efficiency or understanding.

index by

Emphasizes creating an index or guide to locate items based on a specific criterion.

list by

Focuses on the sequential presentation of items according to a particular characteristic.

rank by

Stresses the positioning of items in a hierarchy based on their relative importance or value.

grade by

Highlights the evaluation of items according to a predefined scale or standard.

FAQs

How can I use "sort by" in a sentence?

You can use "sort by" to indicate the criteria for arranging items. For example: "Please sort the data by date", or "The results are sorted by relevance".

What are some alternatives to "sort by"?

Alternatives include "order according to", "arrange by", or "classify based on", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sorted by" instead of "sort by"?

Yes, "sorted by" is the past participle form and is often used in passive constructions. For example, "The list is sorted by date". "Sort by" is typically used in commands or instructions, such as "Sort by name".

What's the difference between "sort by" and "group by"?

"Sort by" implies arranging items in a specific order, while "group by" suggests organizing items into distinct categories based on shared characteristics.