sort up

USAGE SUMMARY

'sort up' is not a correct phrase in written English
In some informal contexts, it may be used as a variation of 'sort out', as in 'Let's sort up this mess.' However, it is not used in formal contexts.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We have automated equipment that can sort up to 30,000 pieces of mail an hour," said Tom Gaynor, a Postal Service spokesman.

The New York Times

For example, it recently launched operations at 100,000 square meter warehouse in Shanghai that it claims "leverages the most advanced, highly-automated sorting technology in the world, with the capacity to sort up to 16,000 packages per hour with an accuracy of 99.99 percent".

TechCrunch

The advances in parallel flow sorting technology make it possible to sort up to one billion particles per hour (Wlodkowic and Darzynkiewicz 2011).

Functional and Integrative Genomics

Moreover, whereas FACS selection can be time-consuming, since it sorts cell by cell, with a MACS experiment it is possible to instantly sort up to 107 positive cells, within 2 × 108 cells per column, in about one hour (including the labeling and wash steps), with the column version used in our experiment.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We installed solar panels, too, so Jeff can grow tomatoes and all sorts up there.

Independent

If you talk to a nurse, she'll tell you about patients coming in with rueful faces and all sorts up there.

The New Yorker

Do your sorting up front, when you're filling the bag, and you'll waste a lot less.

Los Angeles Times

It's a sort of "up yours" to Mother Nature.

Independent

Well, it's sort of up to you.

The New Yorker

I think there will be conflict of some sort coming up.

The New York Times

Private initiatives of this sort show up how little the government is doing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey the meaning of organizing or resolving, substitute "sort up" with the more grammatically sound and widely accepted phrasal verb "sort out".

Common error

Avoid using "sort up" interchangeably with "sort out" in formal writing. While it may occasionally appear in informal contexts, it lacks the established grammatical correctness of "sort out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort up" is a phrasal verb, though not widely accepted in standard English. Its intended function is often to express the act of organizing or resolving something, similar to the more common phrasal verb "sort out". As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sort up" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. More accepted alternatives include "sort out", "organize", and "arrange", among others. When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, it is best to opt for these established alternatives. The contexts where "sort up" does appear are primarily news and media and science, but even in these areas, more standard phrasing is recommended. Therefore, exercise caution when encountering or considering using the phrase "sort up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort out

Replaces "up" with "out", creating a phrasal verb with a clearer and more standard meaning of organizing or resolving.

organize

A single-word alternative conveying the act of arranging or structuring something systematically.

arrange

Similar to 'organize', but often implies a specific order or sequence.

classify

Suggests sorting items into categories based on shared characteristics.

categorize

A synonym of 'classify', emphasizing the grouping of items into distinct categories.

systematize

Implies a more rigorous and methodical approach to sorting and organizing.

put in order

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing the act of arranging items in a specific sequence.

straighten up

Focuses on making something tidy or neat by sorting and arranging its components.

group

Highlights the act of gathering similar items together.

compartmentalize

Emphasizes dividing something into distinct sections or categories for better organization.

FAQs

Is "sort up" grammatically correct?

The phrase "sort up" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. A more accepted alternative is "sort out".

What does "sort up" mean?

While not standard, "sort up" may be used informally to mean the same as "sort out", which implies organizing, resolving, or tidying something.

When should I use "sort out" instead of "sort up"?

Always use "sort out" in formal writing or when clarity and grammatical correctness are important. "Sort up" is best avoided.

What are some alternatives to "sort up"?

Alternatives to "sort up" include "organize", "arrange", "classify", or "sort out", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.