“Sort” vs “Sort of”: Learn the Real Difference in English

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October 6, 2025Vocabulary / Vocabulario

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LECCION 94 – VOCABULARIO – El verbo GO to/for/on/ing

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Have you ever heard someone say, “I sort of like it” and then later “Can you sort the papers?” and wondered if those two expressions are related?  They sound almost the same, but they don’t mean the same thing at all. In English, “sort” can be a verb, while “sort of” is an everyday phrase that softens what we say. In this class we will learn these differences together

 “Sort” vs “Sort of”: What’s the Real Difference in English?

1. “Sort” — The Action Verb You Do

🧩 The Verb “Sort”

💡 Meaning:

To organize, arrange, or classify things into groups or categories.

It focuses on putting things in order — either physically or logically.

✅ Examples

  1. I need to sort my emails before the end of the day.

  2. Please sort the files by date.

  3. The clothes are mixed — can you sort them by color?

  4. She sorted the documents alphabetically.

  5. We’re sorting the materials for tomorrow’s project.

  6. The teacher asked students to sort the words into verbs and nouns.

  7. Let’s sort the photos so we can find the best ones easily.

  8. The company sorts recyclable materials from general waste.

  9. Can you sort the tools by size?

  10. The software automatically sorts the data in order of importance.

🔧 The Phrasal Verb “Sort Out”

💡 Meaning:

To solve, fix, handle, or organize something that’s confusing, messy, or problematic.
It’s often used for problems, misunderstandings, or plans.

✅ Examples

  1. We need to sort out the issue with the supplier.

  2. Don’t worry — I’ll sort it out tomorrow.

  3. The manager is trying to sort out the schedule for next week.

  4. Let’s sort out who’s going to lead each task.

  5. I finally sorted out my bank account problems.

  6. They’re sorting out the final details before launching the product.

  7. We should sort out the confusion about the new policy.

  8. It took hours to sort out the misunderstanding between the teams.

  9. I can’t log in — can you help me sort it out?

2. “Sort of” — The Expression 

“Sort of” isn’t an action verb. It’s an incredibly common conversational phrase. While it comes from the noun sort plus the preposition of, together they take on a few special meanings.

A. Literal Meaning: “A Kind or Type Of” — “A sort of” + Noun

When you use the full phrase a sort of before a noun, it means “a kind of” or “a type of.”

Used to describe a type, category, or kind of something.
It’s often used when the speaker isn’t sure of the exact word or wants to sound less precise.

✅ Examples

  1. It’s a sort of coffee machine that also makes tea.

  2. She built a sort of shelter using old wood and plastic.

  3. He gave me a sort of smile — friendly, but not totally.

  4. This tool is a sort of leveler for floors.

  5. We had a sort of meeting, but it was very informal.

  6. It’s a sort of training program for new employees.

  7. The app is a sort of digital planner for daily tasks.

  8. They offered us a sort of guarantee, but not a full one.

  9. It’s a sort of shortcut that saves time on installation.

  10. The teacher used a sort of game to explain the lesson.

💬 Meaning: “a type of,” “a kind of,” “something like,” or “similar to.”

Function Type Meaning Example
a sort of + noun Noun phrase a kind or type of “A sort of solution.”

B. Everyday Meaning: “Kind of / Somewhat / More or Less” –  “Sort of” + Adjective / Verb / Adverb

Used informally to mean a little, kind of, or more or less.
It makes what you say softer and more natural, just like native speakers do.

✅ With Adjectives

  1. I’m sort of tired, but I can still work.

  2. She’s sort of angry, but she doesn’t want to show it.

  3. The movie was sort of boring at the beginning.

  4. It’s sort of expensive, but worth it.

  5. He looks sort of nervous before meetings.

  6. The instructions were sort of confusing.

  7. I felt sort of disappointed after the interview.

  8. The weather is sort of cold today — not freezing, though.

  9. The room was sort of dark, but we could still see.

  10. Their proposal sounds sort of unrealistic to me.

Function Type Meaning Example
sort of + adjective/verb Adverbial phrase approximately / somewhat “I sort of agree with that point.”

Sorting Out “Sort” vs. “Sort of”: The Real Difference

 

Ever been talking and heard someone say, “Please sort the files,” or maybe, “I sort of like that idea,” and you thought, “Wait… is that the same word?”

You’re definitely not the only one!

These two phrases—sort and sort of—look almost identical, but they’re used in totally different ways. Let’s break it down so you can use them with complete confidence and sound more like a native speaker.

 

1. “Sort” — The Action Verb You Do

 

When you use sort as a verb, you’re talking about an action: to organize, arrange, or classify things.

Think about paperwork, laundry, or emails—when you put them into groups or a specific order, you sort them.

✅ Examples:

  • I sorted the clean clothes into piles for everyone.
  • Could you sort the documents alphabetically before the meeting?
  • We need to sort out the billing problem with the new client.
Function Type Meaning Example
sort Verb organize / classify “She sorted the papers.”
sort out Phrasal Verb solve / fix a problem “Let’s sort out the misunderstanding.”

 

2. “Sort of” — The Expression You Say

“Sort of” isn’t an action verb. It’s an incredibly common conversational phrase. While it comes from the noun sort plus the preposition of, together they take on a few special meanings.

A. Literal Meaning: “A Kind or Type Of”

When you use the full phrase a sort of before a noun, it means “a kind of” or “a type of.”

✅ Examples:

  • It’s a sort of device that cleans windows with steam. (= a kind of device)
  • The party turned into a sort of informal networking event.
  • She made a sort of dipping sauce with yogurt and herbs.

💡 Quick Tip: You can almost always replace this with a kind of.

Function Type Meaning Example
a sort of + noun Noun phrase a kind or type of “A sort of solution.”

 

B. Everyday Meaning: “Kind of / Somewhat / More or Less”

 

In casual, daily English, we use sort of as a softener. It makes a statement less direct, less absolute, or more polite. Here, it acts like an adverb, usually coming before adjectives or verbs.

✅ Examples:

  • I sort of understand what you’re asking. (= I partly understand)
  • He’s sort of ready to go. (= a little ready)
  • “Are you happy with the results?” — “Sort of.” (= more or less / partially)
  • The movie was sort of predictable. (= somewhat predictable)

💬 Native speakers absolutely love this! It keeps conversation relaxed and natural.

Function Type Meaning Example
sort of + adjective/verb Adverbial phrase approximately / somewhat “I sort of agree with that point.”

 

Quick Comparison Chart

 

Expression Grammar Type Meaning Example
sort Action Verb to organize / arrange “Please sort the laundry.”
sort out Phrasal Verb to solve / fix a problem “We need to sort out the booking issue.”
a sort of Noun Phrase a kind or type of thing “It was a sort of tent.”
sort of Adverbial Phrase kind of / somewhat / partially “I sort of missed the deadline.”

Try It Yourself!

See if you can complete these sentences correctly:

  1. We need to ________ out the schedule conflict before Friday.
  2. It’s ________ a funny movie, but not a classic.
  3. Please ________ the customer feedback forms by region.
  4. She made ________ an announcement to the team.

Answers: 1. sort out (solve) 2. sort of (somewhat) 3. sort (organize) 4. a sort of (a kind of)

🎯 Final Takeaway

Remember:

  • “Sort” is an action (you do it).
  • “Sort of” is an expression (you say it).

So, if a friend says, “I sort of finished my chores,” they’re telling you they finished them—but maybe not completely.

And if your manager says, “Can you sort these invoices?” you know you need to get organizing.

 

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