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Is it possible to use he belongs to the greatest players to mean he is one of the greatest players?

While I know that in other languages (including my own), these two are interchangeable, I feel that in English, although belong has a number of meanings, this one does not belong to them. Or am I wrong?

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No, you cannot use belong to in this way in English. You can use numbered amongst or accounted one of, but not belong to.

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Thanks a lot. I did think so but you see it so often in various translations that I was beginning to think that I might not have understood it. – Malis Dec 8 '12 at 10:22
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One way you could use belong in this context would be: "He belongs in the group of greatest players." – J.R. Dec 8 '12 at 14:03

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