To be organized into
"Galaxies are usually separated by spaces that extend over millions of parsecs. These vast spaces are called intergalactic spaces. Despite the vast distances between them, galaxies are often organized into clusters and superclusters. Clusters and superclusters are then organized into sheets and filaments. Filaments, structures that form the boundaries between large voids in the universe, are the largest known structures in the universe."
Today, one of my students asked me about the usage of "organize" here. He believes that when we say "something is organized into something else", the latter is necessarily shorter than the former. However, according to this context, filaments are larger than galaxies. How?
To me, "organized" is used correctly. It refers here to a hierarchical classification system, which may be described in the order of smaller to larger. He definitely confused "organized" with "divided."
In my book, if something is organized into several parts, those parts are not necessarily smaller than the former. In other words, "to be organised into" can move in either direction. The reader must use context to determine the writer's intent.
Share your thought with me, please.
Top answer
My Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English says: Cells were progressively organized into tissues, organs, systems and, finally, the whole body. Cells were in tissues, etc. So in that sentence, galaxies are in clusters and superclusters, aren't they?
- My Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English says: Cells were progressively organized into tissues, organs, systems and, finally, the whole body.
- Cells were in tissues, etc.
- So in that sentence, galaxies are in clusters and superclusters, aren't they?
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My Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English says:
Cells were progressively organized into tissues, organs, systems and, finally, the whole body.
Cells were in tissues, etc. So in that sentence, galaxies are in clusters and superclusters, aren't they?
0I think so. Evidently, clusters are also organized into sheets and filaments.
So, you agreed on my interpretation. Right? Just let me know.
0"to organize (something) into" can be used in two different and contradictory senses.
In one sense "is organized into" means "is divided into". Here one thing (a singular) "is organized into" several things (a plural).
The corporation is organized into four operating segments.
The text is organized into ten chapters.
In another sense "is organized into
0I can organize my paragraph into a topic sentence, three details and an ending sentence.
I agree with you that based on the writer's intent, both meanings are correct.
0
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