“sort through”是一个常用的英语动词短语,核心含义是“仔细整理/查看(一堆东西)以筛选出需要的部分;逐一梳理(信息、情感等)”。它强调“从头至尾、系统性地翻阅/处理”的过程,目的是理清秩序、找出目标或解决混乱。
字面可理解为“穿过(through)一堆东西进行分类(sort)”,实际引申为:
1、 整理实物:翻查、梳理一堆物品(如文件、衣物、杂物),通常为了分类、丢弃或找到特定物品;
2、 筛选信息/数据:逐一检查大量信息(如邮件、数据、申请)以提取有用内容;
3、 理清抽象事物:梳理情绪、记忆或问题,使其更清晰。
“sort through”是及物动词短语,通常搭配“sth.”作宾语,结构为:
若需明确“整理的目的”,可加介词“for”引出目标,即:
sort through sth. for sth.(翻查某物以寻找某物)通过不同语境的例子,更直观理解用法:
I need to sort through my closet this weekend—there are too many clothes I don’t wear.
(这周末我得整理衣柜——太多不穿的衣服了。)
She’s sorting through the boxes in the attic to find her childhood toys.
(她在翻阁楼的箱子找童年玩具。)
The HR manager spent hours sorting through job applications to shortlist candidates.
(HR经理花了数小时筛选求职申请,选出候选人名单。)
Can you sort through these emails and forward the important ones to me?
(你能翻一下这些邮件,把重要的转发给我吗?)
He’s still sorting through his feelings after the breakup—give him some space.
(分手后他还在理清情绪——给他点空间。)
The detective is sorting through witness statements to piece together the crime.
(侦探正在梳理证人证词,还原案件经过。)
I sorted through all my notes for the key points of the lecture.
(我翻遍笔记找讲座的关键点。)
They’re sorting through the rubble for any survivors of the earthquake.
(他们在废墟中搜寻地震幸存者。)
两者都有“整理”之意,但侧重不同:
sort through:强调“逐一查看/梳理的过程”(如翻查一堆东西找目标);
sort out:更强调“解决问题、分类完成或理清结果”(如“sort out the mess”收拾烂摊子;“sort out the books by genre”按类型分类书籍)。
“sort through”也可用于被动,结构为“sth. be sorted through”:
These old photos need to be sorted through—some are worth keeping, others can be thrown away.
(这些旧照片需要整理——有些值得留,有些可以扔。)
总结:“sort through”是描述“系统性梳理过程”的短语,适用于从“实物”到“抽象事物”的各种场景,关键是“逐一处理以筛选/理清”。