sort it out

USAGE SUMMARY

"sort it out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations when you are trying to encourage someone to take action and solve a problem. For example, "We have a lot of work to do to get the project finished on time. Let's sort it out and make a plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sort it out yourselves.

The New York Times

He would sort it out.

The New Yorker

Let them sort it out".

The New York Times

Tomorrow he'd sort it out.

The New Yorker

Hey, I'll sort it out".

The New Yorker

Sort it out, chaps!

The Guardian

Sort it out, Beeb".

The Guardian

Sort it out, man!

The Guardian - Film

Just sort it out.

The Guardian - Sport

Sort it out, fellas.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps an accountant could sort it out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort it out" when you want to encourage decisive action to resolve a problem or disagreement. It's suitable in both informal and semi-formal contexts where a direct approach is appropriate.

Common error

While "sort it out" is versatile, avoid using it in highly formal or professional communications where a more polished phrase like "resolve the matter" or "address the issue" might be more appropriate.

How to use

Learn how to use "sort it out" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sort it out" functions as an imperative or declarative statement, urging or indicating the resolution of a problem or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is used to encourage action and problem-solving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sort it out" is a versatile phrasal verb that encourages decisive action to resolve issues, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in news and media, but less frequent in scientific or academic writing. While its directness makes it effective in many situations, remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "resolve the issue" may be more appropriate. Use "sort it out" when you want to convey a sense of urgency and encourage problem-solving, but be mindful of the register and context to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve the issue

Focuses on the act of solving a specific problem, similar to "sort it out" but more formal.

figure it out

Emphasizes the mental effort needed to understand and solve a problem, slightly less direct than "sort it out".

deal with it

Suggests handling a situation, potentially with a sense of resignation, whereas "sort it out" implies more proactive problem-solving.

take care of it

Highlights the responsibility of managing a task or issue to completion, similar to "sort it out" in its emphasis on action.

straighten it out

Implies correcting something that is disordered or problematic, more specific than "sort it out".

iron out the details

Focuses on resolving minor discrepancies or problems in a plan or arrangement, more specific than "sort it out".

get to the bottom of it

Highlights the need to investigate and understand the underlying cause of a problem, less focused on the solution than "sort it out".

fix the problem

Directly addresses the act of repairing or resolving an issue, similar in intent to "sort it out" but more straightforward.

set it right

Suggests correcting a wrong or injustice, imparting a moral aspect that "sort it out" lacks.

remedy the situation

Implies a need for correction or improvement, often in a formal context, compared to the more general "sort it out".

FAQs

How can I use "sort it out" in a sentence?

You can use "sort it out" to tell someone to resolve a problem, as in "They need to "sort it out", really" or to indicate that you will solve a problem, like in "I'll "sort it out"".

What's a more formal alternative to "sort it out"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "resolve the issue", "address the matter", or "rectify the situation" instead of "sort it out".

Is "sort it out" appropriate for business communication?

While "sort it out" can be used in some business contexts, it's often better to opt for more professional language like "resolve the issue" or "manage the situation" depending on the audience and context. Use "deal with it" when you are speaking to a team member or someone more confident.

What's the difference between "sort it out" and "figure it out"?

"Sort it out" emphasizes the act of resolving or fixing something, while "figure it out" focuses on understanding or finding a solution. You "figure it out" before you "sort it out".