belong to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "belong to" is a very common phrase used in written English.
You can use it any time you want to express that something is owned by someone or something else. For example: "This piece of art belongs to the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I belong to one.

The New York Times

You belong to us".

The New York Times

"They belong to everybody.

The New Yorker

You belong to Universe".

The New Yorker

Many belong to three.

The Economist

You belong to them.

The New York Times - Books

We belong to God.

The New York Times

They belong to this house".

The New Yorker

You belong to the universe".

The New Yorker

Anybody can belong to them.

The Economist

"I belong to the people.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider that using specific language can help you determine the relationship between parties such as legal, proprietary, and formal connections. Also consider how casual and formal relationships can be defined by association or inclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "belong to" in overly abstract or metaphorical contexts where the relationship isn't clear. Opt for more precise language to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belong to" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating ownership, affiliation, or association. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a commonly used phrase to show that something is owned by someone or is a part of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "belong to" is a very common verb phrase used to indicate ownership, membership, or association. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and its register is neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and science-related content. To ensure clarity, avoid using "belong to" in overly abstract contexts and consider alternatives like "be owned by" or "be a member of" for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the property of

Emphasizes legal ownership and control over something.

be owned by

Focuses specifically on the aspect of ownership, suggesting a legal or proprietary relationship.

be a member of

Highlights the aspect of being part of a group or organization, emphasizing affiliation.

be affiliated with

Highlights a formal connection, often used in organizational contexts.

be associated with

Indicates a connection or relationship, often less formal than ownership or membership.

fall under the jurisdiction of

Indicates that something is subject to the authority or control of a particular entity.

pertain to

Suggests relevance or connection to a particular subject or area.

be the responsibility of

Focuses on the obligation or duty associated with something.

be included in

Suggests that something is part of a larger set or category.

be connected to

Implies a link or association, which may not necessarily be formal.

FAQs

How do I use "belong to" in a sentence?

Use "belong to" to indicate ownership, membership, or association. For example, "This book "belongs to" the library" or "She "belongs to" a book club."

What can I say instead of "belong to"?

You can use alternatives like "is owned by", "is a member of", or "is associated with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "belongs to"?

Yes, "belongs to" is the correct form when the subject is singular. For example, "The car "belongs to" him" is grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "belong to" and "relate to"?

"Belong to" indicates ownership or membership, while "relate to" suggests a connection or association that may not involve ownership. The phrase "relate to" is used when discussing the relevance or connection between two or more things.