it belongs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it belongs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate possession or association of something to a person, place, or thing. Example: "This book belongs to Sarah, so please return it to her when you're done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It belongs to everyone".

Independent

Where it belongs.

The New York Times

It belongs to several.

The New York Times

"It belongs to you.

The New York Times - Magazine

It belongs in a museum.

The New York Times - Arts

It belongs only to you.

The New York Times - Books

Now it belongs to me.

The New York Times

It belongs to the States.

The New Yorker

It belongs to the people".

The New York Times

It belongs to the world".

The New York Times - Travel

It belongs to compassion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it belongs" in creative writing, consider the emotional or symbolic weight of ownership. Does it imply freedom, responsibility, or connection?

Common error

Avoid using "it belongs" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader understands what "it" refers to in the context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it belongs" functions as a declarative statement indicating ownership, association, or rightful placement. It asserts a relationship between a subject (often represented by "it") and a possessor or a proper location. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it belongs" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate ownership, association, or rightful placement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and sees it used across a wide variety of contexts, spanning from news media to casual conversation. While grammatically sound, ensure that "it" has a clear referent to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "it is owned by" or "it is the property of" can offer alternative ways to express possession. Remember that understanding ownership or association nuances of "it belongs" in various contexts can improve writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is owned by

Focuses specifically on ownership, implying legal or rightful possession.

it is the property of

Emphasizes the concept of something being owned or belonging to someone.

it rightfully belongs to

Reinforces the idea of a just or deserved ownership.

it is assigned to

Implies a formal allocation or designation to a person or entity.

it is attributed to

Suggests a connection or origin, often used in creative or intellectual contexts.

it is connected to

Highlights an association or link, rather than direct ownership.

it is associated with

Similar to 'connected to', but can imply a less direct or formal relationship.

it is rightly placed in

Emphasizes the appropriateness or correctness of its location or situation.

it is integral to

Indicates that something is an essential part or component.

it is part of

States that something is a component or element of a larger entity.

FAQs

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

Use "it belongs" to show possession or association. For example, "This book isn't mine; "it belongs to" Sarah."

What are some alternatives to "it belongs"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it is owned by", "it is the property of", or "it is assigned to".

Is it grammatically correct to say "it belongs to him/her/them"?

Yes, "it belongs to him/her/them" is grammatically correct. It specifies who or what possesses the item in question.

When should I use "it belongs" versus "it is"?

"It belongs" indicates possession or association, whereas "it is" states a fact or characteristic. For example, ""it belongs to" the library" (possession) versus "it is a valuable book" (characteristic).