belongs with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "belongs with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is associated with or part of a particular group or category. Example: "This book belongs with the other classics on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He belongs with me".

The New York Times

Shaker belongs with his British family.

Independent

Tour of the Cat belongs with them.

The New York Times - Sports

"Donetsk belongs with Russia," he said.

The Guardian

It belongs with 'Old Blighty' and 'Johnny Foreigner'.

The Guardian

In their eyes, psychoanalysis belongs with discarded practices like leeching.

The New York Times

And that is, Weinhandl belongs with the Islanders.

The New York Times - Sports

But not all the blame belongs with the patients.

The New York Times - Health

Medvei's chess-playing good companion belongs with her greatest forebears.

Independent

As evolutionary theorists go, he belongs with the softies.

The New York Times - Books

In this case, that's a shame, because Miles belongs with Bach!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "belongs with" to clearly indicate association or membership within a group or category. Ensure the context clarifies the nature of the relationship (e.g., ownership, suitability, inherent characteristic).

Common error

Avoid using "belongs with" when a weaker connection is more appropriate. Phrases like "is related to" or "is associated with" might be better choices if the relationship isn't one of direct inclusion or inherent connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belongs with" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating association, inclusion, or fitting within a particular group or context. As supported by Ludwig, it shows a relationship beyond simple ownership.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "belongs with" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate association or inclusion within a particular group or context. As Ludwig AI explains, its function goes beyond mere ownership, signifying a natural or logical connection. Usage is frequent across various domains, especially in news and media, making it versatile for different writing styles. When seeking alternatives, consider the subtle differences in meaning offered by phrases like "is associated with" or "is part of". Avoid using "belongs with" for relationships where a weaker connection is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is part of

Suggests direct inclusion within a larger group or system.

is associated with

Indicates a connection or relationship, often suggesting a weaker tie than direct inclusion.

is connected to

Highlights a link or relationship, often used for abstract or conceptual connections.

is consistent with

Indicates a lack of contradiction or conflict with a particular set of rules or principles.

is aligned with

Emphasizes agreement or correspondence with a particular standard, goal, or ideology.

is relevant to

Emphasizes the pertinence or applicability of something to a particular topic or situation.

is suited for

Focuses on the appropriateness or fitness of something for a specific purpose or context.

is appropriate for

Highlights suitability within a given context.

is in keeping with

Implies consistency or harmony with a particular style, tradition, or principle.

is affiliated with

Suggests a formal association or connection, often within an organization or group.

FAQs

How can I use "belongs with" in a sentence?

Use "belongs with" to show that something is correctly placed or associated within a certain group or context. For example, "This piece "belongs with" the rest of the collection".

What are some alternatives to "belongs with"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is part of", "is associated with", or "is connected to" to convey a similar meaning to "belongs with".

Is it correct to say "belongs to" instead of "belongs with"?

While "belongs to" indicates ownership, "belongs with" implies a natural association or fitting within a group. They have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable. "Belongs to" is for things like "This car belongs to me", while "belongs with" expresses association, as in, "This piece "belongs with" that set."

What does "belongs with" imply about the relationship between two things?

"Belongs with" suggests a natural or logical association, implying that the items fit together or are correctly grouped. It doesn't necessarily indicate ownership but rather compatibility or inherent connection.