What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
separating
Example
She was separating the laundry into different piles. [separating: verb]
Example
The scientist was separating the different chemicals in the solution. [separating: gerund or present participle]
sorting
Example
I spent the afternoon sorting through my old clothes to donate. [sorting: gerund or present participle]
Example
The librarian was sorting the books by genre and author. [sorting: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sorting is more commonly used than separating in everyday language. Sorting is a versatile skill that can be applied in various fields and situations, while separating is more specific and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between separating and sorting?
Both separating and sorting can be used in formal and informal contexts, but separating may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its association with scientific or technical contexts.
