What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
organizing
Example
She spent the afternoon organizing her closet by color and season. [organizing: verb]
Example
The company is in the process of organizing their files to make them more accessible. [organizing: gerund or present participle]
sorting
Example
I spent the morning sorting through my mail, separating bills from junk mail. [sorting: gerund or present participle]
Example
The librarian sorted the books alphabetically by author's last name. [sorting: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Organizing and sorting are both commonly used in everyday language, but organizing may be more commonly used in professional or academic contexts where creating a system or structure is important.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between organizing and sorting?
Organizing may be considered more formal than sorting due to its association with creating a system or structure, which is often necessary in professional or academic settings.
