have belonged

USAGE SUMMARY

'have belonged' is a correct and usable form of the verb 'belong' in written English.
You can use it any time you want to refer to something that is a part of a group or category of things, or to express that one thing was previously a part of another. For example: "The painting has belonged to the same family for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have belonged to AIPAC for years.

The New Yorker

They don't even have to have belonged to someone famous.

The Guardian - Music

In decades past, that job would have belonged to NASA.

The New York Times - Science

It may have belonged to the Perry family.

The New York Times

Some employees could have belonged to more than one program.

The New York Times

Even her car might have belonged to an adolescent.

The New Yorker

She would have belonged to a backward caste...

The New Yorker

He would have belonged to a new breed of laureates".

The New York Times - Tech

But the points might not have belonged on the board.

The New York Times

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, he could have belonged to either.

The Guardian - Music

Codex may have belonged to a woman given the presence of feminine forms and decorations.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have belonged" to emphasize a continued state or connection to a group or entity.

Common error

Avoid using "have belonged" when a simple past tense ("belonged") is more appropriate. For instance, use "belonged" if the connection is entirely in the past and has no present relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have belonged" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates a past action or state of being a member or part of something that has relevance to the present. Ludwig confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have belonged" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect tense, used to describe past affiliations or ownership that connect to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its frequency is high, particularly in news, academia, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, be mindful of the tense to avoid errors, and consider alternatives like "were members of" or "were affiliated with" for nuanced meanings. Overall, "have belonged" is a reliable and useful phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were members of

Focuses specifically on membership within a group or organization, differing from broader association.

held membership in

Highlights the act of holding membership, more active than simply belonging.

were once part of

Indicates a former inclusion within a larger entity or group, focusing on the past.

were affiliated with

Emphasizes a formal connection or association, often in professional or organizational contexts.

had been associated with

Stresses a past connection or relationship, which can be less formal than affiliation.

were formerly included in

Similar to 'were once part of' but with a slightly more formal tone and emphasis on inclusion.

were previously owned by

Highlights past ownership, differing from belonging in a more general sense.

were at one time connected to

Emphasizes a connection that existed in the past, useful for historical contexts.

were enrolled in

Specifically relates to enrollment or registration, often in educational or formal programs.

were aligned with

Suggests a similarity in viewpoint or purpose, implying a more active connection.

FAQs

How can I use "have belonged" in a sentence?

You can use "have belonged" to indicate past membership or ownership that has a continuing relevance. For example, "She has belonged to this club for five years" indicates ongoing membership.

What's the difference between "have belonged" and "belonged"?

"Have belonged" indicates a connection that started in the past and may continue to the present, while "belonged" indicates a past connection that is now finished.

What are some alternatives to using "have belonged"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were members of", "were affiliated with", or "were previously owned by".

Is it correct to say "had belonged" instead of "have belonged"?

The choice between "had belonged" and "have belonged" depends on the context. "Have belonged" (present perfect) connects a past action to the present, while "had belonged" (past perfect) describes an action completed before another point in the past.