Phrasal verbs "belong to" vs "relate to"

Differences between belong to and relate to

Belong to refers to ownership or membership, while relate to refers to a connection or association between two things.

Meanings and Definitions: belong to vs relate to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Belong to

• 1. Be a member.

  He BELONGS TO a secret society.

• 2. Be connected to a time, place, belief, thing, etc.

  Their ideas BELONG TO the nineteenth century and seem old - fashioned now.

Relate to

• 1. To understand and connect with someone or something.

  Martin had always found it easier to relate to women.

• 2. To understand or connect with something.

  The programme deals with scientific subjects that ordinary people can relate to.

Usage Examples: belong to, relate to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

belong to

Example

She belongs to a book club that meets every month.

Example

He belongs to a secret society.

relate to

Example

I can relate to your feelings of frustration.

Example

She relates to her sister's struggles with school.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Belong to

be the property of

To be owned by someone or something.

Example

This car is the property of my brother.

be a member of

To be part of a group or organization.

Example

She is a member of the local book club.

be affiliated with

To be associated or connected with a particular group or organization.

Example

The company is affiliated with several international partners.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Relate to

connect with

To establish a relationship or association with something or someone.

Example

I connect with this song because it reminds me of my childhood.

pertain to

To be relevant or applicable to a particular subject or topic.

Example

This article pertains to the latest developments in renewable energy.

correlate with

To have a mutual relationship or connection with something else.

Example

The study found that exercise correlates with improved mental health.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “belong”

• belong with

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

• cater to
• warm to
• run to
• step to
• take to

Differences in belong to vs relate to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: belong to or relate to?

Both belong to and relate to are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, belong to is more frequently used when talking about possession or membership, while relate to is more commonly used when discussing connections or associations.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of belong to and relate to

Both belong to and relate to are considered formal phrases and are appropriate for use in business, academic, and professional contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of belong to and relate to

The tone of belong to is more concrete and factual, while relate to is more abstract and subjective. Belong to is often used to describe a clear ownership or membership relationship, while relate to is used to describe a more nuanced or emotional connection.

belong to & relate to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Belong to

Synonyms

• be a member of
• be part of
• be connected to
• be associated with
• be related to
• be linked to
• be classified as

Antonyms

• be separate from
• be disconnected from
• be unrelated to
• be unconnected to
• be independent of

Relate to

Synonyms

• understand
• comprehend
• grasp
• appreciate
• connect with
• empathize with
• identify with
• sympathize with

Antonyms

• misunderstand
• disconnect
• alienate
• disassociate
• separate
• diverge
• disagree
• conflict