sorting by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorting by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where items or data are being organized based on specific criteria or attributes. Example: "The data can be sorted by date, name, or category to make it easier to analyze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She loved the Web site nybits.com, which allows for easy sorting by building details.

The New York Times

Even sorting by relevance, though, the results are often littered with irrelevant titles.

The New York Times - Tech

Gmail users can also turn off the sorting by changing their in-box settings.

The New York Times

He and Mr. Homet compiled a spreadsheet with all the bids, sorting by price, level of financing, and closing date.

The New York Times

This meant that by sorting by place of birth, Dr. Hacker could count only the native-born.

The New York Times - Science

Sorting by relevance is the default.

TechCrunch

After sorting by time, we obtain the final storyboard.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The plugin supports advanced searches, like sorting by color, size, and usage rights.

TechCrunch

Another option Google could add is sorting by images with a Creative Commons license.

TechCrunch

This design can avert sorting by ability in the enrollment stage, but revelation of new monetary costs can lead to sorting by income.

Economics of Education Review

Clearly, immigrants may prefer sorting by area even at this higher level of aggregation.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorting by", ensure the criteria for sorting are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "sorting by date", "sorting by relevance", or "sorting by price".

Common error

Avoid using "sorting by" without specifying a clear attribute. For example, instead of saying "The data was sorted by", specify "The data was sorted by name" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorting by" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the method or criteria used to arrange items. This can be seen in the Ludwig examples, where different items are arranged based on various factors like time, price or relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorting by" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to specify the criteria for organizing items or data. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across diverse contexts, from Science and News & Media to Wiki content. While alternatives like "arranging by" exist, "sorting by" clearly indicates a method of ordering based on defined attributes. When writing, always ensure the sorting criteria is explicit to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arranging by

This alternative focuses on the physical act of ordering, whereas "sorting by" can be more abstract.

categorizing by

This alternative emphasizes the grouping of items into categories, while "sorting by" implies a specific order.

ordering by

Highlights the establishment of a sequence, which might be a specific aspect of "sorting by".

classifying by

Emphasizes a more structured and formal method of categorization.

grouping by

Similar to categorizing, but can be less formal and more general in its application.

organizing by

A broader term encompassing various methods of arrangement, not necessarily implying a strict order.

ranking according to

This alternative emphasizes the establishment of a hierarchy based on specified attributes or criteria.

grading by

Implies an evaluation and ranking system, focusing on quality or merit.

indexing by

Implies a systematic method of cataloging, often for quick retrieval or reference.

separating by

Focuses on distinguishing items based on criteria, rather than ordering them.

FAQs

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

You can use "sorting by" to indicate the criteria used to organize items. For instance, "The search results can be sorted by relevance, rating, price, and the last update."

What are some alternatives to "sorting by"?

Alternatives to "sorting by" include "arranging by", "categorizing by", or "grouping by", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "sorting by date" or "sorting according to date"?

"Sorting by date" is more concise and commonly used. "Sorting according to date" is also correct but can sound more formal. Both options are valid but the former is preferred for brevity.

What's the difference between "sorting by" and "filtering by"?

"Sorting by" arranges items in a specific order based on a criterion, whereas "filtering by" "filtering by" removes items that do not meet a certain criterion. Sorting reorders, while filtering selects.