Below you will find three of the uses of the phrasal verb 'sort out' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition for each use, you will also find two examples of it being used with each meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember these uses, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use 1

To resolve/fix a problem or difficult situation.

I've had this problem with my computer as well. If you delete some files and then restart it, it should SORT OUT the problem and it will be working again.

I don't care how you do it, but you have to SORT this problem OUT now! If you don't, it's just going to get worse.

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb

Use 2

To organise/arrange for something to happen.

If you want to have a big end of school party, we can pay for it, but you have to SORT OUT everything by yourself. You have to find a place to have it in, send out all the invitations and find somebody to play music there.

So, we are going to Madrid on the 26th of July for two nights. I'll buy the flights for all of us. Simon can you SORT OUT the hotel? Find and reserve one for all of us.

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb

Use 3

To group together things which have a specific characteristic (they are all the same colour, from the same country etc...).

I have done what you asked me. I've SORTED OUT all the letters you got from fans by the country they come from. So, these are the ones from America, these from France, these from Ireland...

So here are all the clothes. I want you to SORT them OUT into different colours. Put the blue clothes here, the white clothes here and the red clothes here

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb


Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.