Hello, I am an English teacher in China. I'm really puzzled by the phrase "belong in" as in the following sentence:
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There are bound to be some words and phrases that belong in formal language and others that are informal.
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What does "belong in" mean? Actually, as a Chinese, I have long believed that "belong to" is the only possible collocation for the word "belong".
Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.
2006-12-25 14:14:31 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"belong in" is like saying someone or something is a member of a group. for example, "he belongs in second grade" means he should be a member of the second grade.
"belong to" connotates more of a possession, like "that book belongs to me."
so i guess in your case, the sentence means that certain words should be used only in formal language. "some words and phrases" are members of the group of words and phrases that make up "formal language."
hmm actually this may help you:
Belongs in:
應該在/應該是
有些字應該用在陣勢場內.
Belongs to:
是誰的
這本書是我的.
have fun!
2006-12-25 14:25:44 · answer #1 · answered by tell me all!!! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In this case, belong in means that the words and phrases generally are found within formal language.
The sentence would make more sense like this: There are some words and phrases that are usually in formal language, and other words and phrases that are informal.
Hope this helps.
2006-12-25 14:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by Stuart 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason that you are having trouble understanding that phrase, is because it is very poor English. The sentence would read:
There are bound to be some words and phrases that are used in formal English, and others that would be used in everyday conversation.
I hope this helps you.
2006-12-25 14:21:32 · answer #3 · answered by iraqisax 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Belong in" means as in an exclusive group. It is being grouped with a kind of formal language type. To me, formal language is proper language spoken by the better educated people of the world. No jargons, slang words, cliches, or profanities are used in a formal language that is written or spoken. The sentences are clear in their meaning and there are never double negatives. Example: "I don't got no problem with it." That's a double negative which makes it a positive statement.
Hope that helps.
2006-12-25 14:30:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In that sentence it means "used in" or "used with". Try using different words and phrases in the sentence instead of belong in, it can sometimes mean different things. Hope this helps.
2006-12-25 14:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by anita s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sentence you cite does sound a bit awkward. You are correct that "belong in" would be the correct form. A better way to phrase the sentence would be. "There are bound to be some words and phrases use in formal language, while others are used in informal language." That said, "belong to" here, is not ambiguous. Note that "belong in" can be correct. There is a famous phrase that I believe comes from some film, although I forget which one. The line is "you belong in pictures." In that sentence, "pictures" refers to movies and was said to a character who was so beautiful / talented, that someone thought she should be a film actress.
2016-05-23 06:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably meaning "belong within."
I'm thinking of the sentence: "I belong in here," versus "I belong here." Obviously if the word "in" is used it means within a circumscribed place. "I belong here" comes from the heart. I belong in this class, I belong in jail, I belong in this world. "I belong" means "I belong in." It wouldn't replace "I belong to." Both phrases are emphatic with whatever noun or pronoun.
I think that this is the case with your sentence also. You emphasizing that something is a subset within a set.
2006-12-25 14:33:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is strictly my opinion: 'Belong to' suggests exclusivity Whereas 'belong in' seems to allow, rightly, its use in INformal language as well. If I'm wrong I'll apologize.
2006-12-25 14:23:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"In" is used in the sense of "within the group of."
2006-12-25 23:28:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋