ENGLISH
REFERENCE

filter in

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. to arrive or enter slowly in small groups or small amounts.

phr. v.. to enter or arrive gradually, often in a scattered or piecemeal fashion; typically used for people, information, or light.


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.

Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
filter + in
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.

© 2026 English Reference