Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding and Using 'Sort Through'

"To truly understand oneself, one must sort through the chaos of thoughts, discovering order and clarity in life’s clutter."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'sort through' means to examine a collection of things, separating them into categories or deciding what is useful or needed.

Examples in context

She sorted through her closet, deciding which clothes to donate.
The librarian sorted through the returned books to reshelve them.
He patiently sorted through the files to find the missing document.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'sort through' means to examine a collection of things, separating them into categories or deciding what is useful or needed.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

'Sort' and 'through' can be separated by the object.

Neutral

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object, the items being sorted.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	sort through	I often sort through old photos to find the best ones.
Past Simple	sorted through	She sorted through the documents yesterday.
Present Continuous	sorting through	They are sorting through the donations now.
Present Perfect	have sorted through	We have sorted through all the applications for the job.

💡 When to Use

Organizing clutter

Use when going through items to decide what to keep or discard, especially in messy areas.

Example: "He sorted through the garage to find his old tools."

Analyzing data

When examining data or information to find specific pieces, often in research or work settings.

Example: "The team sorted through the survey responses for relevant feedback."

Planning and decision making

Use when prioritizing tasks or information, particularly helpful in project management.

Example: "Management sorted through the proposals to choose the most viable one."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: She sorted out the old emails.

✅ Correct: She sorted through the old emails.

💡 Tip: 'Through' indicates thorough examination.

Omitting the object

❌ Wrong: He sorted through.

✅ Correct: He sorted through the papers.

💡 Tip: Always include the items being sorted.

Verb tense confusion

❌ Wrong: They sort throughed the boxes.

✅ Correct: They sorted through the boxes.

💡 Tip: Use 'sorted' for past tense.

Practice

SORT THROUGH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

She sorted through her closet, deciding which clothes to donate.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution
2
Listen to example

The librarian sorted through the returned books to reshelve them.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution
3
Listen to example

He patiently sorted through the files to find the missing document.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

sift through go through

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After moving, she had to ___ through all her belongings."

sift

sort through

move

In Context

In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team discovered the nearly intact tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Fascinated by the potential of the find, Carter knew he had to methodically sort through artifacts to piece together Egypt’s ancient history. The task was monumental, given the sheer volume and delicacy of the treasures. Carefully, Carter and his team began to sort through layers of items, finding gold masks, thrones, and other priceless artifacts. As they sorted through these remnants of the past, each discovery revealed new insights into the life and times of the young pharaoh. During this process, Carter was often overcome with awe but remained focused on the importance of his work. By sorting through the relics with precision, Carter preserved one of the most celebrated archaeological finds in history. The meticulous effort took nearly ten years, but it forever changed our understanding of Ancient Egypt. By the end, sorting through Tutankhamun’s tomb had not only unveiled a treasure trove but had also set new standards for archaeological endeavors. Carter’s dedication to sorting through this ancient legacy left an indelible mark on the field of archaeology.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Sort Through

What is the origin of sort through?

The phrase 'sort through' originates from the Old French 'sortir,' meaning to arrange or classify. Over time, it evolved in English usage, incorporating 'through' to imply a thorough, comprehensive examination, common in practical and analytical settings.

Can sort through be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'sort through' fits both contexts. In formal settings, it is used in management or academic discussions for organizing information. Informally, it's used in everyday tasks like tidying spaces or organizing items at home, allowing versatility.

What is the difference between sort through and sift through?

'Sort through' generally implies organizing or organizing items comprehensively, while 'sift through' suggests examining items more carefully, often looking for defects or specific details. 'Sift through' can imply a more meticulous, granular search.

Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

SORT THROUGH - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Sort Through

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega