belong for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'belong for' is not correct and usable in written English.
It is not a commonly used phrase, and can be replaced with either the phrase 'belong to' or 'belonged to.' For example, "This house belongs to me."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I felt a profound desire to belong, for what felt like the first time in my life.

The Guardian - Music

"I think Trump is speaking to a certain population in our country that hasn't had a place to belong for a long time," he said.

The New Yorker

The women's ordeals seem to belong, for a time, to everyone: newspapers and social media carry the developing stories while the public tries to understand.

The New Yorker

This Sunday afternoon's match against Houston brings the final opportunity for players to prove they belong for 2014, a good performance would allow the team to leave fans without a bitter taste as we head into the offseason.

The Guardian - Sport

To this period belong, for example, backwoods, hoe-cake, pop-corn, land-slide, shell-road, half-breed, hired-girl, spelling-bee, moss-back, crazy-quilt, stamping-ground and cat-boat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the line of wit to which Coward's comedies belong, for instance, Sheridan ("The School for Scandal") was twenty-six; Congreve ("The Way of the World") was thirty; Orton ("What the Butler Saw") was thirty-four; and Wilde ("The Importance of Being Earnest") was a positively decrepit forty-one.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It belonged for years to O'Keeffe's younger sister, Anita O'Keeffe Young.

The Guardian - Arts

The world belonged, for a while longer, to those other beings.

The New Yorker

No mention was made of my union, Equity, to which I have belonged for many years with gratitude and loyalty.

The Guardian

Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said there were better ways of creating a sense of belonging for teenagers.

The Guardian

Her death was announced by Magnum Photos, the photography cooperative to which she belonged for more than a half-century.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "belong to" when indicating that something is owned by or a member of something else. For example, say "This book belongs to me" instead of "This book belong for me."

Common error

Avoid using "belong for" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "belong" is "to". Using "belong for" will make your writing sound awkward and incorrect to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belong for" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase. The correct usage is "belong to". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is not standard English and should be avoided. The examples provided highlight the misuse, underscoring the importance of using "to" instead of "for".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "belong for" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in written or spoken English. The correct phrase is "belong to", which indicates ownership, membership, or association. As Ludwig AI clearly states, this is not a standard English phrase. While some examples containing the phrase exist across various sources, including news and scientific publications, these instances are considered errors. Therefore, it is essential to use "belong to" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in communication. Instead of using "belong for", consider using alternatives like "is a member of" or "is part of" when applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belong to

This is the correct and standard way to indicate ownership or membership.

is part of

This phrase suggests being included in a larger entity or group.

is included in

This indicates that something is a component of a larger whole.

is a member of

This phrase specifically indicates membership within a group or organization.

is affiliated with

This phrase denotes a formal connection, often used in professional or organizational contexts.

is associated with

This phrase implies a connection or affiliation, not necessarily direct ownership or membership.

is owned by

This specifically indicates possession or ownership, relevant when "belong" implies ownership.

is connected to

This phrase indicates a link or relationship, which may not be as strong as belonging.

is related to

Similar to "is connected to", but can imply a broader or less direct relationship.

is the property of

A more formal way of expressing ownership.

FAQs

How do I properly use the word "belong" in a sentence?

The word "belong" is typically followed by the preposition "to" to indicate ownership or membership. For example, "This book belongs to John", or "She belongs to the hiking club".

What is the correct phrase: "belong to" or "belong for"?

"Belong to" is the correct phrase. "Belong for" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Always use "belong to" when indicating possession or affiliation.

Are there any situations where "belong for" is acceptable?

No, "belong for" is not considered acceptable in standard English. Always use "belong to" instead. You can also find alternative phrases, such as "is a member of" or "is part of", depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to saying something "belongs to" someone?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is owned by", "is possessed by", or "is the property of". For indicating membership, alternatives include "is a member of" or "is affiliated with".