sorted by

USAGE SUMMARY

"sorted by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing the order or organization of items or data according to a particular criteria. For example, "The spreadsheet is sorted by last name."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of sorted by popularity, they're sorted by activity (most recently active first).

TechCrunch

Results are sorted by cost and availability.

The New York Times - Travel

East London Fashion Exchange: two rails sorted by quality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Pinchbecks sell their roses sorted by stem length.

The New York Times

Stories aren't only sorted by category; they're ranked by popularity.

The New Yorker

Everything would be sorted, by chance, before each performance.

The New Yorker

The samples are numbered and sorted by expedition.

The New York Times - Science

and even the markers were sorted by color.

The New York Times

Voters have got better sorted by party; parties have got better sorted by ideology; and parties have got more ideological.

The New Yorker

Outward mail was sorted by military unit.

BBC

B. Graduate Students (sorted by deadline date).

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorted by", ensure the criterion is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "sorted by date", "sorted by size", or "sorted by relevance".

Common error

Avoid implying the sorting criterion. Always state explicitly what the data is being sorted by. For example, instead of saying "the list is sorted", specify "the list is sorted by price" or "the list is sorted alphabetically".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorted by" functions as a prepositional phrase used to specify the criteria by which items or data are arranged or ordered. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sorted by" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted way to describe how items or data are arranged. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and frequent usage. It is most commonly encountered in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "sorted by", clearly specify the sorting criterion to avoid any ambiguity. While alternatives like "arranged according to" or "organized by" exist, "sorted by" offers a direct and effective way to communicate the method of organization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

organized by

Highlights the structure and systematic nature of the arrangement process.

ordered by

Specifies a sequence or ranking based on a particular attribute.

arranged according to

This alternative emphasizes the act of arrangement, specifying that it's done following a certain order or system.

ranked by

Specifically refers to arranging items in a hierarchical order based on a defined metric.

grouped according to

Similar to categorized, but with a stronger emphasis on the act of collecting items into distinct groups.

classified by

Implies a more formal or scientific approach to categorization, often using established standards.

listed by

Indicates that items are presented in a particular order within a list or enumeration.

categorized based on

Focuses on placing items into groups determined by shared characteristics or criteria.

indexed by

Highlights the use of an index or system of references to facilitate retrieval or organization.

filed under

Emphasizes the placement of items within a filing system, typically based on a specific category.

FAQs

What does "sorted by" mean?

"Sorted by" means arranged or ordered according to a specific criterion or attribute. It indicates the method used to organize a set of items or data.

How do I use "sorted by" in a sentence?

Use "sorted by" to indicate the criterion used for ordering items. For example: "The search results are "ordered by" relevance", or "The files are "categorized by" date".

What are some alternatives to "sorted by"?

You can use alternatives like "arranged according to", "categorized based on", or "organized by" depending on the context.

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

While "sorted in" might be understood, "sorted by" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase to indicate the criteria used for sorting.