English Reference

Phrasal verb

sift through

Definition

phrasal verb. to look through a large amount of things carefully to find something specific or important. You use this when you have a lot of information or objects to check.

phrasal verb. to examine a large quantity of information or objects thoroughly in order to identify or extract specific items. The verb is transitive and functions as an inseparable unit with the preposition 'through'.

Examples

“I need to sift through these papers to find my passport.”

“After the interview process, the HR manager had to sift through dozens of applications to find the right candidate.”

“The researchers spent months sifting through archival data to uncover evidence of the forgotten settlement.”

Examples

simple

“I need to sift through these papers to find my passport.”

contextual

“After the interview process, the HR manager had to sift through dozens of applications to find the right candidate.”

complex

“The researchers spent months sifting through archival data to uncover evidence of the forgotten settlement.”

Usage

usually followed by a plural noun representing a collection of items or data.

Teaching tip

connect the figurative meaning to the literal action of using a sieve to separate flour from lumps.

Pitfall

I sifted the documents through.

I sifted through the documents.

this phrasal verb is inseparable; the preposition 'through' must follow the verb directly before the object.

Phrasal verb

Particles

through

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

sift + through + object

Synonyms

sort throughfilterexaminescrutinize

Antonyms

ignoreglance at

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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