align closely with

USAGE SUMMARY

"align closely with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe how two things are closely related or coincide with one another. For example: "Our goals and aspirations closely align with our company's long-term objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The demographics of military veterans align closely with Trump's strongest sources of support.

The Washington Post

However, options that don't align closely with a company's core businesses can be hard to preserve in tough times.

Harvard Business Review

In order to align closely with industry practices, we choose to represent the rationale-based architecture model in UML.

Journal of Systems and Software

What if you're talking to someone who isn't going to reciprocate the contact, or whose interests turn out not to align closely with yours?

Yale University

On Friday, Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican whose positions on consumer issues often align closely with those of Democrats who control the Legislature, praised the new statute, which the lawmakers passed last week.

The New York Times

Mr. Trump's remarks, which he made during an interview with The Washington Post, align closely with arguments long advanced by supporters of voter identification laws, including Republican governors and state legislators.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

But in Texas, Mr. Bush's policies have been aligned closely with those of the oil industry.

The New York Times

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned closely with Ryan, spent more than $7 million in Georgia.

The Washington Post

Urbanization impacts aligned closely with increases in flow regime flashiness and severity of extreme flow events.

Landscape and Urban Planning

At least three other board members aligned closely with Mr. Taubman are scheduled to be re-elected.

The New York Times

*Seven out of ten STEM workers are Non-Hispanic whites, which aligns closely with their share of the overall workforce.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "align closely with", ensure that the subjects being compared have a clear and demonstrable relationship. The phrase implies a strong degree of correspondence or agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "align closely with" to describe a superficial similarity. The phrase suggests a significant and meaningful connection, not just a coincidental resemblance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "align closely with" functions as a linking verb phrase, indicating a relationship of similarity, agreement, or correspondence between two subjects. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's frequently used to connect ideas, policies, or goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "align closely with" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates a strong degree of similarity or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic sources underscores its utility in formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the subjects being compared have a clear relationship and avoid using it for superficial resemblances. Alternatives like "correspond closely to" or "match closely with" can be used for slight variations in meaning. Remember that "align closely with" implies a deliberate arrangement or agreement, so choose it when you want to emphasize a meaningful connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

correspond closely to

Emphasizes a near-exact match or equivalence.

match closely with

Focuses on the degree of similarity between two things.

accord closely with

Highlights agreement or harmony.

coincide closely with

Indicates events or ideas happening or existing at the same time or place.

harmonize closely with

Suggests a pleasing or congruent relationship.

resonate closely with

Implies a deeper, emotional connection or agreement.

square closely with

Highlights that something is compatible with facts or a particular standard

tally closely with

Suggests agreement in number or amount.

dovetail neatly with

Describes a perfect fit, as with interlocking joints.

mirror accurately

Emphasizes a reflection or representation that is extremely close to the original.

FAQs

How can I use "align closely with" in a sentence?

You can use "align closely with" to show a strong agreement or similarity between two things. For example, "The company's goals "align closely with" the needs of its customers."

What are some alternatives to "align closely with"?

Alternatives to "align closely with" include "correspond closely to", "match closely with", or "accord closely with", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "align closely with" or "match closely with"?

"Align closely with" is generally considered more formal than "match closely with". "Align" implies a deliberate arrangement or agreement, while "match" simply indicates similarity.

What does it mean when something "aligns closely with" something else?

When something "aligns closely with" something else, it means that the two things are very similar, in agreement, or have a strong correlation. It suggests a high degree of compatibility or correspondence.