Phrasal Verbs with “Sort”

Here's the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “sort.”

“Sort out” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Sort out

To organize or plan something.

Example

Jake sorted out everything for tonight’s party. He did a great job.

Jake organized everything for tonight’s party. He did a great job.

Meaning 2 – Sort out

To solve a problem, disagreement, or inconvenience. 

Example

They need to talk and try to sort out this difficult situation. It’s the only way.

They need to talk and try to solve this difficult situation. It’s the only way.

Meaning 3 – Sort out

To arrange something.

Example

I spent my whole morning sorting out these files. This is a terrible job.

I spent my whole morning arranging these files. This is a terrible job.

Meaning 4 – Sort out

To look for some information, to discover something.

Example

Investigations continue trying to sort out how the virus began to spread.

Investigations continue trying to discover how the virus began to spread.

“Sort through” Meaning and Examples

To try to find something among other things, to look at different things while looking for something. 

Example

She couldn’t find her phone, so she was sorting through her purse.

She couldn’t find her phone, so she was trying to find it in her purse.