under Section + number
Legal or formal references
Use under when something falls within a rule or authority.
The company was fined under Section 12.
Under, of, in, to or by section?
Section often appears with under, in, and of depending on organisation and reference.
Quick answer
Use depends on the context
Use under section for legal references, in section for location inside a document, and section of for a part of something. By section is less common and usually means grouped by sections.
The rule appears under Section 5 of the law.
Details are explained in section 2.
Details are explained in section 2.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
in section + number
Location inside a document
Use in for information located within a section.
You can find the answer in section 4.
section of + whole
Part of something larger
Use of to show membership in a whole.
This section of the book discusses climate change.
by section
Organised according to sections
Use by section when grouping or arranging material.
The archive is arranged by section and date.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
under section
The offence is listed under Section 8.
Within the authority of a legal section.
in section
See the diagram in section 3.
Located inside a section.
section of
That section of the museum is closed.
A part of a larger whole.
to section
The workers moved to the sports section.
Direction toward an area, not a fixed combination.
by section
The report is organised by section.
Grouped according to sections.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using of section for document location
Use in section for location within a text.
✕ The details are of section 6. ✓ The details are in section 6.Confusing under section and in section
Under refers to legal authority; in refers to location.
✕ The law appears in Section 10 penalties. ✓ The penalties apply under Section 10.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The offence is punishable ___ Section 9.
2. More examples appear ___ section 3.
3. This section ___ the website is private.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do legal texts use under Section?
Under expresses authority or coverage by a rule.
Can I say by section?
Yes, when talking about organisation or grouping.
What is the difference between section and chapter?
A chapter is usually larger, while a section is a subdivision.
Related preposition guides
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