Phrasal verb
filter in
Definition
phrasal verb. to arrive or enter slowly in small groups or small amounts.
phrasal verb. to enter or arrive gradually, often in a scattered or piecemeal fashion; typically used for people, information, or light.
Examples
“The crowd began to filter in just before the show started.”
“Reports from the disaster zone are starting to filter in, but the full picture remains unclear.”
“As the morning sun began to filter in through the heavy velvet curtains, the dusty library took on a golden, ethereal glow.”
Examples
simple
“The crowd began to filter in just before the show started.”
contextual
“Reports from the disaster zone are starting to filter in, but the full picture remains unclear.”
complex
“As the morning sun began to filter in through the heavy velvet curtains, the dusty library took on a golden, ethereal glow.”
Usage
Usually used with plural subjects or uncountable nouns like light or information.
Teaching tip
help students visualize a physical filter where only small amounts pass through at a time to anchor the meaning of 'gradual arrival'.
Pitfall
The guests filtered in the room.
The guests filtered into the room.
when followed by a destination, use 'into'; use 'in' alone when the destination is implied or as an adverbial particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
filter + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/filter-in