align in formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "align in formation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe the act of arranging or positioning items or individuals in a specific order or pattern. Example: "The soldiers were instructed to align in formation before the inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is spectacle enough in Marshall's movie — rows of geisha trainees aligned in formation like Rockettes, acres of low, cedar-and-bamboo buildings with mountains in the distance — but nothing that comes close to lyricism.

The New Yorker

Nearby merchant vessels aligned themselves in formation to protect the ship from waves and facilitate the rescue.

BBC

And when the 'Horns aligned in "victory formation," the anguish dulled for one afternoon, I hated that, despite my best cleaning, the air around my eyes appeared to get a tad bit dusty.

Huffington Post

The defenses, excluding shifts, always align in nearly identical formation with fielders rarely straying from their small radius of territory.

Forbes

By constantly changing up Johnson's route tendencies and where he aligns in various formations, the Texans prevent a defense from finding a comfort zone and rhythm in its coverages.

The New York Times

But characteristic time of aligned chain formation in MWCNTs/epoxy composite is minutes while in GNPs/epoxy composite is seconds in embedded electrodes configuration.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The specific aims of this study were to optimize a decellularization method to enhance cellular removal, to induce axially aligned pore formation in decellularized grafts through a novel unidirectional freeze drying method, to study the bulk mechanical properties of these modified decellularized grafts and to assess cell penetration into these grafts.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

With Sean Dyche's men aligned in their usual formation, the clash had an old school character, both sides set up in 4-4-2s and unashamed to play a direct style.

The Guardian - Sport

In this case, the waves are aligned in a downtrend formation.

Forbes

A TWM presents multiple windows on one screen aligned in a tile formation.

WikiHow

The results presented in earlier sections, finding ranalexin exposure upregulated cell wall anabolism and reduced virulence, also align with persister formation.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "align in formation", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of formation being referenced (e.g., military formation, geometric pattern).

Common error

Avoid using "align in formation" in overly complex sentences where a simpler phrase like "form a line" would be more effective. Clarity is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "align in formation" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase. Based on Ludwig AI, it describes the action of arranging elements into a specific, structured order. The word 'align' indicates a precise arrangement, while 'formation' specifies the pattern being created.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "align in formation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing the act of arranging items or individuals in a specific order or pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears relatively infrequently, it's found across diverse contexts including news, science, and general writing. Alternatives such as "arrange in formation" or "line up in formation" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. It's recommended to ensure contextual clarity when using the phrase and to avoid overly complex sentence structures. The phrase has a neutral register and functions primarily to describe a structured arrangement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Arrange in formation

Replaces "align" with "arrange", emphasizing a deliberate act of organization.

Line up in formation

Uses "line up" for a more casual and physical arrangement.

Order in formation

Emphasizes a hierarchical arrangement.

Assemble in formation

Focuses on the act of coming together into a specific arrangement.

Position in formation

Highlights the placement of elements within a formation.

Array in formation

Implies a more structured and visually pleasing arrangement.

Organize into formation

Focuses on the process of bringing order to elements.

Form a line

Simplifies the expression to a basic linear arrangement.

Fall in

A military command to quickly assume a designated formation.

Get into formation

An instruction or action to move into a specified arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "align in formation" in a sentence?

You can use "align in formation" to describe the act of arranging elements into a specific pattern, such as "The dancers "line up in formation" before the performance."

What are some alternatives to "align in formation"?

Alternatives include phrases like "arrange in formation", "line up in formation", or "form a line", depending on the specific context.

Is "align in formation" formal or informal?

"Align in formation" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. A phrase like "form a line" would be more informal.

What does "align in formation" mean?

It means to arrange or position items or individuals into a specific, orderly pattern or arrangement.