sort through
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To go through a pile of things and organise or look at them one by one.
Literal meaning: To sort (organise) through a collection — fairly transparent.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To examine and organise a collection of things systematically.
"She spent the whole morning sorting through boxes of old photographs."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral
To examine a large amount of information in order to find what is relevant or useful.
"The detectives spent weeks sorting through thousands of financial records."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common in everyday contexts. Often used when dealing with paperwork, belongings, emails, or memories. Slightly more physical and methodical than 'go through'.
Commonly used with
paperwork files belongings clothes emails documents belongings post
Forms
Base
sort through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sorts through
he/she/it
Past simple
sorted through
yesterday
Past participle
sorted through
have + pp
-ing form
sorting through
continuous
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Synonyms
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