sorts
/sɔːt/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɔrts] /sɔːrt/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈɔrts] /ˈsȯrt How to pronounce sort (audio)/ (ame, mw)
sorts — noun
1. different groups or classes whose members share important features.
different groups or classes whose members share important features.
The nursery sells several sorts of tomato seeds for small city gardens.
several sorts of + plural noun
Antonia compared three sorts of cheese before planning the cafe menu.
The museum displays several sorts of fishing boats from the old harbor.
In science class, Min arranged the leaves into sorts by shape.
- types
a close everyday synonym
- kinds
very similar in ordinary conversation
- categories
more formal and systematic
文法句型
different sorts of + plural noun
three sorts of + plural noun
用法筆記
This sense names actual categories. It commonly appears with 'of' before the noun being grouped.
常見錯誤
2. the kinds of people or things that suit someone's taste or feel right to them.
the kinds of people or things that suit someone's taste or feel right to them.
Quiet bookshops are the sorts of places Shanti visits on weekends.
the sorts of places
Farm stays are the sorts of holidays Megan enjoys most.
These are the sorts of films Ilan watches on long flights.
Loud sports bars are not the sorts of venues Romi enjoys after work.
- the kind of thing
very similar in casual speech
- someone's cup of tea
idiomatic and more informal
文法句型
the sorts of + noun + somebody likes
用法筆記
Use this sense for preference. Unlike sense 4, it is about what someone likes, not what kind of person someone is.
3. used after named examples to point to more similar things without listing every
used after named examples to point to more similar things without listing every one.
The camp provides maps, torches, spare batteries and those sorts of supplies.
those sorts of + plural noun
Mathieu repairs bikes, skateboards and other sorts of equipment at the club.
other sorts of + plural noun
The class discussed floods, droughts and other sorts of weather problems.
For train trips, Sirin packs noodles, fruit and those sorts of snacks.
- things like that
a plainer conversational alternative
- such things
more formal and more common in writing
文法句型
those sorts of + plural noun
other sorts of + plural noun
用法筆記
This sense generalises from a few examples to a wider set. It often follows a short list.
4. people with the kind of character or behaviour that has just been described.
people with the kind of character or behaviour that has just been described.
The cafe hires the sorts of workers who stay calm at rush hour.
the sorts of workers who + verb
Élise avoids the sorts of neighbours who complain about every little noise.
Soraya trusts the sorts of friends who tell the truth kindly.
These are not the sorts of guests our small hotel can manage.
- the kind of people
close in meaning and slightly less informal
- the type of person
commonly used for character description
文法句型
the sorts of people who + verb
the sorts of + plural noun + who + verb
用法筆記
Use this sense to describe character or behaviour. Unlike sense 2, it does not focus on personal preference.
sorts — verb
- sortspresent simple I / you / we / they
- sortses3rd person singular
- sortsing-ing form
- sortsedpast simple
1. puts things in order or divides them into groups by a chosen feature.
puts things in order or divides them into groups by a chosen feature.
Mert sorts the receipts by month before sending them to the accountant.
sorts + noun + by + feature
The bakery sorts fresh bread into baskets for each delivery route.
sorts + noun + into + groups
Every Friday, Antonia sorts library returns onto the correct shelves.
The app sorts customer comments alphabetically for the support team.
- organises
broader and less focused on grouping
- classifies
more formal and system-based
- arranges
can be by order without clear categories
文法句型
sorts + noun + by + feature
sorts + noun + into + groups
sorts + noun + alphabetically
用法筆記
Use 'by' for the feature used in grouping and 'into' for the groups created by the action.
常見錯誤
2. brings a problem or messy situation under control by fixing or organising it.
brings a problem or messy situation under control by fixing or organising it.
The manager sorts out delivery problems before the shop opens.
sorts out + problem
Megan sorts out the seating plan after two guests cancel.
sorts out + task
The nurse sorts out appointment changes at the front desk.
When bills go missing, Ilan sorts them out the same day.
- fixes
more direct and less focused on organisation
- resolves
more formal and often final
- deals with
can mean handling without fully solving
文法句型
sorts out + noun phrase
sorts + noun phrase + out
用法筆記
This meaning is usually shown by 'sort out'. It often refers to practical problems, plans, or arrangements.
常見錯誤
3. looks through a collection item by item to find something or decide what should
looks through a collection item by item to find something or decide what should stay.
Mathieu sorts through the tool drawer whenever a screw goes missing.
sorts through + container
The coach sorts through player forms before choosing the travel team.
sorts through + collection
On weekends, Romi sorts through old clothes for donation.
The editor sorts through reader emails to find useful questions.
- searches
focuses more on finding something specific
- goes through
less systematic and very common
- screens
more formal and often used for selecting
文法句型
sorts through + container
sorts through + collection
用法筆記
Use this sense when someone examines many items one by one. It often suggests searching or deciding what to keep.