sorted
sorted — adjective
1. used informally, especially in British English, to describe a situation where ev
used informally, especially in British English, to describe a situation where everything has been dealt with correctly — such as an arrangement confirmed, a problem solved, or someone having all the supplies they need.
The hotel booking is sorted, so we only need to buy plane tickets.
be + sorted for a completed arrangement
Do not worry about dinner — I have got it sorted with the caterers.
Once the visa was sorted, Amara booked her flight to London.
Are you sorted for snacks and drinks on the long train ride?
The leak in the roof is finally sorted after three visits from the plumber.
- unresolved
formal antonym; suggests an issue is still open
文法句型
be + sorted
用法筆記
Predicative only — you cannot say 'a sorted problem' in standard English; instead say 'the problem is sorted.'
常見錯誤
2. placed into particular groups or in a specific order because of shared features
placed into particular groups or in a specific order because of shared features or some rule.
The recycling is sorted into plastic, glass, and paper at the centre.
sorted into [categories]
Library books on the main floor are sorted by the author's last name.
sorted by [criterion]
All application forms were sorted alphabetically before the interview panel met.
The donations were sorted into boxes for different local charities.
The data set is sorted chronologically, so the oldest records appear first.
- classified
more formal; suggests a scientific or official system
- categorised
implies putting into named categories, not just any order
- organised
broader meaning; not limited to grouping by features
文法句型
be + sorted + by/into/alphabetically
sorted — noun
1. any set of people or items that are alike in some way and can therefore be treat
any set of people or items that are alike in some way and can therefore be treated as belonging together.
What sort of music does Yuki like to listen to in the car?
what sort of…? — asking about types
This sort of weather is normal for Taipei in early spring.
The market sells all sorts of fresh fish brought in each morning.
Carmen prefers a different sort of tea, one with jasmine petals.
These sorts of problems are quite common in older apartment buildings.
文法句型
sort of + noun
what sort of…?
this/that sort of…
all sorts of…
用法筆記
In informal speech, 'sort of' can also work as a softener meaning 'to some extent' ('I sort of liked the movie'). That is a different use from the noun sense.
常見錯誤
2. a person who has a particular character, quality, or way of behaving.
a person who has a particular character, quality, or way of behaving.
Emiko is not the sort to complain when things go wrong at work.
the sort to + infinitive — describing character
Andrés is the friendly sort who chats with everyone at parties.
Fatima is the sort of person who always arrives ten minutes early.
The old fisherman was a quiet sort who rarely spoke about himself.
The nurse seemed the caring sort and put us all at ease immediately.
文法句型
the + adjective + sort
the sort to + infinitive
the sort of person who…
用法筆記
Often used with a descriptive adjective before 'sort' (e.g., 'the helpful sort,' 'the curious sort'). This is less formal than saying 'a person who is…'
3. an item that is not exactly like another thing but resembles it enough to be tho
an item that is not exactly like another thing but resembles it enough to be thought of in a similar way.
The chef created a sort of vegan cheese from cashew nuts and yeast.
a sort of — an approximation or loose version
The children built a sort of shelter from old blankets and wooden chairs.
The farewell party was a sort of graduation ceremony for the retiring teacher.
Using string lights, they made a sort of starry ceiling in the bedroom.
His first draft of the essay was a sort of rough outline for the final version.
- something like
more conversational; 'a something like a canoe'
- kind of
interchangeable with 'sort of' in this approximating use
- approximation
more formal; implies a deliberate attempt at likeness
文法句型
a sort of + noun
sort of + adjective/noun (hedging)
用法筆記
This sense often appears in the fixed structure 'a sort of N' where N is a more familiar concept used as a comparison point.
4. the particular character, style, or manner of an action, behavior, or approach.
the particular character, style, or manner of an action, behavior, or approach.
That sort of behaviour is not acceptable in a professional workplace.
that sort of + behaviour/thing — referring to manner
The etiquette coach explained the sort of conduct expected at a formal dinner.
the sort of + behaviour/manner — referring to style of conduct
We discussed various sorts of approaches to solving the traffic problem.
The climbing instructor showed us the sort of grip technique you need on steep rock faces.
I do not approve of that sort of language in front of young children.
文法句型
that sort of + thing/behavior
the sort of + way/method
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (TYPE OR KIND): sense 4 refers to the manner, style, or character of an action or behaviour ('that sort of behaviour', 'this sort of approach'), whereas sense 1 identifies the category a person or object belongs to ('that sort of weather', 'all sorts of fish'). If you can replace 'sort of' with 'type of' without changing the emphasis on manner/style, it is probably sense 4. If the focus is on classification into a named group, it is sense 1.
5. the fundamental character, quality, or nature of a person or thing — the essence
the fundamental character, quality, or nature of a person or thing — the essence that defines what kind of thing it is.
Questions of this sort require deep reflection and careful analysis.
of this sort — referring to essential nature
The question is of a philosophical sort that has puzzled thinkers for centuries.
of a [adjective] sort — formal structure for fundamental nature
People of a certain sort are drawn to careers in public service.
The problems are of a technical sort that only engineers can fully grasp.
The crisis revealed the true sort of leader she was — calm, decisive, and compassionate.
文法句型
of a certain sort
of a particular sort
用法筆記
This is the most formal noun sense and is often found in the pattern 'of a … sort' or 'of this sort.' It overlaps with 'nature' and 'character' in formal writing.
6. an act of arranging items into groups or a particular order; a single instance o
an act of arranging items into groups or a particular order; a single instance of sorting.
The mail room does a daily sort of all letters before midday delivery.
do a sort — action of sorting
The computer performed a quick sort of the customer database yesterday.
A manual sort of the donated clothes took two volunteers the whole morning.
After the sort, each type of recyclable was sent to a different facility.
The algorithm used a bubble sort to arrange the numbers from smallest to largest.
- classification
more formal; implies a systematic scientific process
- categorisation
focuses on putting items into named groups
- arrangement
broader; putting things in a particular order or position
文法句型
a + adjective + sort
do a sort
用法筆記
In computing, 'sort' refers to a specific algorithm (e.g., 'bubble sort,' 'quick sort'). In everyday contexts it simply means the act of organizing items.
sorted — verb
1. to put items in a particular order or separate them into groups, usually based o
to put items in a particular order or separate them into groups, usually based on what they have in common.
Lin sorted the laundry into whites and colours before starting the machine.
sort + object + into [categories]
The teacher sorted the class into groups of four for the science project.
Could you sort these invoices by date before the accountant arrives?
Every morning the baker sorts fresh bread by type on the wooden shelves.
The phone app sorts your holiday photos automatically by date and place.
- classify
more formal; implies a scientific or systematic method
- categorise
specifically means putting into named categories
- organise
broader meaning; not limited to grouping by features
- mix up
to put things together without order
文法句型
sort + object + into + group
sort + object + by + criterion
用法筆記
Common structures: 'sort into' separates things; 'sort by' specifies the rule used for grouping.
常見錯誤
2. to successfully deal with a problem, make something clear, or put something into
to successfully deal with a problem, make something clear, or put something into a proper state.
The IT specialist sorted the network problem in under thirty minutes.
sort + problem/issue — resolve
Could you sort out the confusion about which room the meeting is in?
sort out + difficulty/confusion
We need to sort the garage before the visitors arrive next weekend.
The travel agent sorted all the accommodation bookings for the tour group.
Omar sorted the paperwork into tidy folders marked by month.
- resolve
more formal; best for conflicts and technical issues
- fix
more informal and common in American English
- straighten out
informal; suggests untangling a confusing situation
- mess up
to cause disorder or confusion
文法句型
sort + object
sort out + object
sort + object + out
用法筆記
British speakers often use 'sort out' instead of plain 'sort' for this sense. 'Sort out' is a phrasal verb meaning fix or organise.
常見錯誤
3. to look through a collection of items, often searching for something specific or
to look through a collection of items, often searching for something specific or trying to bring order to them.
Mateo sorted through the pile of letters looking for the bank statement.
sort through + pile/stack — search by examining
The detective sorted through the evidence box for any new clues.
I sorted through my closet to find old clothes to give to charity.
Yuki sorted through the digital photo library to pick images for the album.
The librarian sorted through the returned books before placing them on shelves.
- search
broader; can be for information or physical items
- sift through
suggests separating valuable from worthless items
- rummage through
less orderly, more urgent; implies a messy search
文法句型
sort through + noun
用法筆記
Always followed by 'through' when used intransitively. The focus is on the process of examining, not necessarily on the final arrangement.
常見錯誤
4. (now archaic or literary) to spend time with or associate with others, especiall
(now archaic or literary) to spend time with or associate with others, especially people of a similar kind or social position.
In ancient times, nobles only sorted with other nobles at court events.
sort with — archaic/literary association pattern
In eighteenth-century England, the landed gentry sorted almost exclusively among their own class, rarely mingling with tradespeople.
archaic usage: exclusively literary context
Shakespeare plays often depict kings who sort with commoners, defying the strict social codes of their era.
- associate with
the standard modern equivalent
- mix with
sounds more natural and less formal
- consort with
also formal but more common than 'sort with'
- avoid
to stay away from
文法句型
sort with + person/group
用法筆記
This sense is now archaic — it appears almost exclusively in historical or literary texts. Modern English uses 'associate with', 'mix with', or 'consort with' instead. Do not use 'sort with' in everyday speech or writing.
常見錯誤
5. (old-fashioned or formal) to be in agreement with, match, or harmonize with some
(old-fashioned or formal) to be in agreement with, match, or harmonize with something, such as an opinion, value, or design.
The ancient Greek philosophers taught that a virtuous life sorts well with the pursuit of wisdom and truth.
sort well with — archaic: be in harmony with
In the medieval chivalric tradition, a knight's deeds were expected to sort with the ideals of honour and loyalty.
Renaissance scholars debated whether faith and reason could sort well with one another.
- agree with
the standard modern equivalent
- match
common and natural in all contexts
- harmonise with
more formal; often used about design and music
- conflict with
to be in opposition or disagreement
文法句型
sort with + noun (in the sense of 'match')
用法筆記
Almost entirely replaced by 'agree with', 'match', or 'harmonize with' in modern English. Learners should recognise it in older texts but not actively use it. The verb always requires a 'with' complement.