Hello, I am an English teacher in China. I'm really puzzled by the phrase "belong in" as in the following sentence:
-----------------------------
There are bound to be some words and phrases that belong in formal language and others that are informal.
----------------------------
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 14:15:55 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Hi,
"Belong in" can be used to connotate location, such as "The toy belongs in your room," or "The lion belongs in the wild."
In your example, the use of "belong in" is ironically informal, since it is using language as a "place". It would be better to say, "There are bound to be some words that would be more appropriately placed in the category of formal language, while others would be categorized as informal.
This is the best I can do! Hope it helps.
2006-12-25 14:23:49 · answer #1 · answered by mizchulita 3 · 2⤊ 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.
2006-12-25 22:26:44 · answer #2 · answered by nynameislying123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Belong in means something that is suitable--appropriate, or fits i.e. There are bound to be some words and phrases that are suitable in formal language and others that are informal.
Belong to means the property of someone, as in That book belongs to me, i.e. That book is my property.
2006-12-25 22:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by Mad About Purple 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Used that way the phrase means 'are a part of' or 'used when speaking' in more formal language as opposed to a more casual or informal of communication, whether you are referring to conversation or written words.
Substitute ... "There are bound to be some words and phrases that 'are a part of' formal language ..." or ... "There are bound to be some words and phrases 'used when speaking' in formal language ..."
Hope that helps you.
2006-12-25 22:30:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Belong in" = 'are appropriate to', in the example you've given.
It is a matter of what is 'right'/'proper' and what is factual.
A person, to put it simply, may "belong to" an organisation, having taken the required steps and paid the membership fees. But while he belongs to it - he may not "belong in" it. A strident Tibetan Nationalist, for example, may 'belong to' the Communist Party, but it is opposed to the idea of Tibetan Nationalism - does he really 'belong in' it, or outside, trying to make his point.
There are words and phrases which are part of English. They 'belong to' the language and are part of it. They are not, however, appropriate in formal or polite conversation ("swear words", for instance, or words which are not rude, but considered 'common'/'slang'). They do not 'belong in' that sort of usage.
Perhaps view "belong to" as the literal = "is/are part of", whatever you are talking about.
Then view "belong in" strictly in terms of what is "appropriate".
"Animal sacrifice belongs to the wide history of human religious experience!"
"Animal sacrifice, though a part of human religious experience, does not belong in the Christian religious experience!"
2006-12-25 22:36:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello there! I'm from the Philippines, it means "a part of". example, I belong in a conservative family. We belong in the communist party of the Philippines. "belong to" means ownership. Example, This bag belongs to Lei Hwa. This house belongs to me. I hope that helps.
2006-12-25 22:21:14 · answer #6 · answered by Mike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belong in means which is included in it! If belongs to is used it means related to belong in means included in it!
2006-12-25 22:22:13 · answer #7 · answered by Kirsten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belong in, in this case means that it fits the context of the topic.
2006-12-25 22:19:54 · answer #8 · answered by stevieray102606 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this instance, it means; should be in place.
Hello would "belong in" this sentence;
Hello, my name is Chung.
Hello should be in place of cherry, or coal, etc. Hello is the correct word.
2006-12-25 22:22:23 · answer #9 · answered by It All Matters.~☺♥ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its mean is very similar to "belong to."
2006-12-25 22:20:25 · answer #10 · answered by lovely 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋