- Are you unsure whether to say “in the section” or “at the section”?
- Do you struggle to find the right adjective to describe a specific part of a document or area?
- Do you want to sound more professional when discussing segments of a project or organization?
Mastering collocations with the word section is a vital step toward English fluency. Instead of simply knowing the definition of the word, learning which words naturally “cluster” around it allows you to speak and write with the precision of a native speaker. Whether you are navigating a large department store or drafting a complex legal report, using the correct collocations reduces cognitive load for your listeners and builds your confidence.
Essential Collocations using SECTION as a Noun
Adjectives Frequently Used with Section
In English, we often use specific adjectives to describe the size, location, or nature of a section.
- Large/Small section: “A large section of the park is closed for renovations.”
- Cross section: (A representative sample) “The survey interviewed a cross section of the American public.”
- Residential/Commercial section: “The residential section of the city is much quieter than downtown.”
- The preceding/following section: “Please refer to the preceding section for more details on the data.”
- Dedicated section: “The website has a dedicated section for customer reviews.”
Verbs that Collocate with Section
These are the actions you can perform on or with a section.
- Divide into sections: “The book is divided into four main sections.”
- Head a section: “She was promoted to head the research section.”
- Create a section: “We need to create a new section in the report for budget analysis.”
- Browse a section: “I spent an hour browsing the non-fiction section of the library.”
Common Noun + Noun Combinations
In business and technical English, “section” often combines with other nouns to create specific titles or locations.
- Section head / Section leader: “The section head approved the new project timeline.”
- Rhythm section: (In music) “The rhythm section consists of the drums and bass guitar.”
- Comment section: “Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.”
- C-section: (Medical shorthand for Cesarean section) “The baby was delivered via C-section.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cross section | Adjective + Noun | A representative sample of a larger group. |
| Section off | Verb + Particle | To separate an area from a larger space. |
| Dedicated section | Adjective + Noun | An area or part used for only one specific purpose. |
| Divide into sections | Verb + Noun | To split something into smaller, manageable parts. |
| Section head | Noun + Noun | The person in charge of a specific department. |
| Preceding section | Adjective + Noun | The part that came immediately before. |
Common Collocations with SECTION as a Verb
While less common than the noun form, “section” is used as a verb primarily in technical, medical, or organizational contexts.
Phrasal Verbs and Prepositions
- Section off: (To separate an area) “Police sectioned off the street after the accident.”
- Section something into: (To cut or divide) “The surgeon sectioned the tissue into thin slices for examination.”
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| In the science part of the magazine. | In the science section of the magazine. |
| He is the boss of the section. | He is the section head. |
| Make the room into sections. | Section off the room. |
| The before section of the book. | The preceding section of the book. |
Contextual Story
“As the new section head, my first task was to divide the project into sections to make it more manageable for the team. We decided to section off a quiet corner of the office for the developers to focus. I told the staff that if they had any questions, they should refer to the preceding section of the employee handbook, or simply leave a note in the comment section of our internal portal. By looking at a cross section of our previous sales data, we were able to identify exactly which commercial section of the city needed our attention most.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Section Collocations
Is it “in the section” or “at the section”?
Usually, we use “in.” For example, “I found the book in the history section.” Use “at” only if you are referring to a specific point or station, like “Meet me at the information section.”
What is the difference between a ‘section’ and a ‘part’?
A “section” usually implies a more formal or deliberate division (like in a document, an orchestra, or a building). A “part” is more general and can be any piece of a whole.
What does ‘section off’ mean in a house?
To “section off” an area in a house means to create a barrier (like a curtain, a screen, or a wall) to separate one space from another, often for privacy or specific use.
Can ‘section’ be used for people?
Yes, but usually in a collective sense. For example, the “brass section” in a band refers to the group of people playing brass instruments.
What is a ‘cross section’ in a business report?
In business or statistics, a “cross section” refers to a group of people or items that represent all the different types within a larger group, giving you a balanced view of the whole.
So for specific parts of a book, like 'the last section,' it's always 'in the last section' right? Never 'on' or 'at'?
Great follow-up question, Liam! Yes, you're correct. For parts of a book, document, or even a website, it's virtually always 'in the section' (e.g., 'in the last section of the report'). 'On' or 'at' would be incorrect in this context. 'On' is typically used for surfaces ('on the table,' 'on the page'), and 'at' for very specific points or locations ('at the corner,' 'at the entrance'), neither of which fits 'section' when referring to content within a larger whole.
This article made me realize how much I was guessing with 'section'! Thank you for clarifying these important phrases.
You're very welcome, Fatima! That's exactly why we create these articles – to help learners gain confidence and precision. Understanding collocations like those with 'section' is a significant step towards sounding more natural and fluent. We're so glad it helped!
For legal documents, 'relevant section' is also very common. I wonder if there's a specific context where 'pertinent section' would be preferred over 'relevant section'?
Collocations are really tough for me. I can understand the meaning, but remembering which words go together naturally is a challenge. Any tips for memorization?
Hi Chloe, you're not alone; collocations are indeed one of the trickiest aspects of advanced English! A great tip for memorization is to learn them in context, not just as isolated words. Try creating your own sentences, using flashcards with both words, or even keeping a dedicated notebook for collocations. Reading widely and paying attention to how native speakers pair words will also help immensely. Keep practicing, and you'll gradually build your 'collocation intuition'!
When you say 'cross section of the American public,' does that mean a diverse group representing different demographics, income levels, etc.? Just want to confirm my understanding of that specific idiom.
You've understood it perfectly, Aisha! When we talk about a 'cross section' of the public, we mean a group that is carefully chosen to include people from all the different social, economic, age, and ethnic groups that exist within that larger population. It aims to be representative, like a miniature version of the whole. Well done!
I used 'residential section' today when talking about my neighborhood to a new colleague! It felt really good to use the correct phrase. This blog is super practical!
So, is 'at the section' never correct? I think I might have heard it sometimes in news reports or something. Or is it just very rare?
Hi Isabella, that's a very insightful question! While 'in the section' is overwhelmingly preferred for content *within* a section, there are very rare and specific contexts where 'at' might be heard, often when 'section' refers to a specific *location* or *station* rather than a content segment, e.g., 'At the meat section, you'll find...' (referring to a department in a store). But for documents or organizational parts, stick to 'in the section.' It's best to consider 'at the section' as generally incorrect for the uses discussed in the article.
Absolutely brilliant! The point about reducing cognitive load for listeners is something I hadn't explicitly considered but makes perfect sense. Fluency isn't just about vocabulary, it's about making it easy for others to understand you.
You mentioned 'large/small,' 'residential/commercial,' 'preceding/following.' Are there other common adjectives used with 'section' for things like 'important section' or 'main section'?
Hi Sofia, you're right, there are many more! Besides the ones mentioned, common adjectives include: 'main section,' 'important section,' 'relevant section,' 'final section,' 'introductory section,' 'middle section,' 'dedicated section,' and 'designated section.' The context often dictates the best choice. Great observation!
In my language (Swedish), we have similar 'word pairs' that just sound right. This concept of collocations is so important for sounding native. Thank you for highlighting it!