What the difference between: cull, grading, sort and sift? Any examples?

Question

These words confuse me!! When to use them?

Nice question, I've never thought about these differences before :) - TheSilentHero, Feb 4, 2011

Answer 1

If you think of processing agricultural products, let's say potatoes, it makes it clearer.

You might sift them in order to remove any dirt or leaves. Sifting is a physical activity where the dirt falls out of the bottom.

Then, you might cull out the bad ones (remove the bad ones.)

Then, you might grade them, placing the small ones separate from the mediums ones and the large ones. Grading them would be considered sorting them by size.

I hope that helps.

Great answer, Joyce! - gone, Feb 4, 2011

Answer 2

Cull link text

Grading link text

Sort link text

Sift link text