What does the phrasal verb “sift through” mean?

What are the definitions of “sift through”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Examine a lot of things carefully.

  We had to SIFT THROUGH thousands of files before we found what we were looking for.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “sift through”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb sift through is to examine a large number of things carefully, often to find something specific. It can be used when searching for information, sorting items, or looking for a particular object.

What are the different verb forms of “sift through”?

Root Verb	sift through
Third Person Singular Present	sifts through
Present Participle	sifting through
Simple Past	sifted through
Past Participle	sifted through

Example

She sifts through her purse to find her keys.

Example

He sifts through the documents to find the right one.

Example

They are sifting through the evidence to find the truth.

Example

Yesterday, she sifted through her old photos to find a picture of her grandmother.

Example

The detective had sifted through all the clues before solving the case.

What kind of phrasal verb is “sift through”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“sift through” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

She sifted through the pile of clothes to find her favorite shirt.

Example

He sifted through the emails to find the important message.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“sift through” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

She sifted through the pile of clothes to find her favorite shirt.

Example

He sifted through the emails to find the important message.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “sift through”?

Sift through information

To carefully examine a large amount of information, often to find something specific or to understand a situation better.

Example

The journalist sifted through the data to find evidence of corruption.

Sift through memories

To think back and recall past events or experiences, often to find a specific memory or to gain a better understanding of a situation.

Example

She sifted through her memories to remember the details of that day.

Sift through belongings

To search through personal items, often to find a specific object or to organize and sort items.

Example

He sifted through his closet to find the perfect outfit for the party.

Good things to know

Does “sift through” have an informal or formal tone?

Sift through is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as academic or professional discussions.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “sift through”?

Synonyms

• examine
• search
• sort
• browse
• peruse
• investigate
• explore
• scrutinize

Antonyms

• ignore
• overlook
• neglect
• disregard
• skim
• glance