belongs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'belongs' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a verb that means to be owned by or to be a part of. You can use it to indicate possession or ownership. Example: The red umbrella belongs to Kelly. In this sentence, 'belongs' is used to show that the red umbrella is owned by Kelly. You can also use 'belongs' to show that something or someone is a part of a certain group or category. Example: This beautiful painting belongs in a museum. Here, 'belongs' is used to indicate that the painting is a part of the category of artworks that should be displayed in a museum.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fact that he belongs to a family of "martyrs", and that he never left Iraq during Saddam's rule, have contributed to the high standing he has acquired among Shias.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stephen Harper, the Canadian prime minister, said: "I don't think Russia under Vladimir Putin belongs in the G7.

The Guardian

Google would be forgoing Gmail's scant profit, but its actions would be consistent with the idea that the net belongs to its users throughout the world.

The Guardian - Tech

"The party has a basic rule that forbids fighting anyone other than Israel and thus it bans its elements from fighting in Syria," Rifai, who belongs to Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, told the Daily Star.

The Guardian

The Islam of north Africa, where most of France's Muslims come from, belongs to the Maliki school – a tolerant and easygoing tradition that does not force women to wear veils and encourages such non-fundamentalist activities as music, Sufi mysticism, superstition and magic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Four years on, the importance of finding and using language about the arts, and which belongs to the arts, is as vital as ever.

The Guardian

He belongs to the so called "Technical group" of TDs who are by and large leftwing independents.

The Guardian

(A table showing which company is with which initiative is at the end: only Hyundai belongs to all the projects currently underway).

The Guardian - Tech

With his rasp, his greying hair, his physical grace and his hypnotic eyes, Clooney belongs firmly in the tradition of Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, Lee Marvin and Robert Ryan: a man (not a girly-man) in his 40s (not his teens), ambiguously heroic (not unambiguously super-heroic), and exuding an emotional and sexual authority not seen since vintage Sean Connery.

The Guardian

Today it belongs to the National Trust and is occupied by farmer Kevin Wrathall, his partner Sandra Swainson and their two daughters.

The Guardian

A small label on one reads: NMA Ancestral Remains to be repatriated to Provenance (NSW) Tharawal Remains CRANIUM skull Age Adult Sex Male The skull belongs to Kanabygal, an Aboriginal warrior who died when troops shot and beheaded him in New South Wales in 1816.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing categorization, use "belongs" to specify the correct grouping. For instance, "This artwork belongs in a museum."

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "to" redundantly when the context already implies it. Instead of "This belongs to to him", say "This belongs to him".

Linguistic Context

The word "belongs" functions as a verb, typically in the third-person singular form. It indicates ownership, membership, or appropriate placement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used to express a relationship between a subject and an object or a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "belongs" is a versatile term that primarily denotes ownership, membership, or suitable placement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in English. Its neutral register allows for seamless integration into both formal and informal communication contexts. When using "belongs", be sure to avoid redundant prepositions like "to to", and consider alternatives like "is owned by" or "is part of" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ this term, cementing its legitimacy and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is owned by

Focuses on the aspect of ownership.

is the property of

A more formal way of indicating ownership.

is a part of

Highlights the inclusion within a larger entity.

is associated with

Emphasizes a connection or relationship.

is included in

Highlights the fact of being a component.

is attributed to

Indicates that something is credited or assigned to someone.

is connected to

Stresses the link or bond between entities.

properly fits within

Emphasizes correct placement or categorization.

is correctly placed in

Focuses on the accuracy of location or classification.

rightfully occupies

Indicates a justified or deserved place.

FAQs

How can I use "belongs" in a sentence?

Use "belongs" to show ownership, as in "This phone belongs to me", or to indicate that something is correctly placed, as in "That painting "belongs in" a gallery".

What are some synonyms for "belongs"?

Alternatives include "is owned by", "is part of", or "is associated with", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'belongs to to'?

No, using "to" twice is redundant. The correct form is "belongs to", as in "This book "belongs to" her".

What's the difference between "belongs" and "pertains"?

"Belongs" indicates ownership or inclusion, while "pertains" suggests relevance or connection. A book "belongs to" a library, but information in the book "pertains to" a specific subject.