ENGLISH
REFERENCE

belongs

v.
A2 Elementary US //bɪˈɫɔŋz// UK //bɪlˈɒŋz// be·longs

v. to be in the right place or to feel happy and comfortable in a specific group or situation. You use this when something has a natural home or when you fit in with others.

v. to be in the correct or appropriate place or position; to be a member of a particular group or set. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.


SIMPLE

This book belongs on the top shelf.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of moving between different cities, she finally felt that she belongs in this small coastal community.

COMPLEX

The curator spent weeks determining whether the artifact belongs in the permanent collection or if it should be returned to its country of origin.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is intransitive and is almost always followed by a prepositional phrase, most commonly starting with 'to', 'in', or 'on'.

Pitfall

This book belongs me.This book belongs to me.When expressing ownership, the verb must be followed by the preposition 'to' before the indirect object.

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