What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sift
Example
Sift the flour before adding it to the mixture. [sift: verb]
Example
I need to sift through these resumes to find the best candidate. [sift: phrasal verb]
sieve
Example
Strain the soup through a sieve to remove any lumps. [sieve: noun]
Example
She sieved the soil to remove any rocks or debris. [sieved: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sift is more commonly used than sieve in everyday language, especially in cooking and baking contexts. Sieve is more technical and specific to certain fields, such as science and engineering.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sift and sieve?
Both sift and sieve are relatively formal words, but sieve is more technical and may be considered more formal in certain contexts, such as scientific writing or academic research papers.
