align oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "align oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of positioning oneself in agreement or harmony with a particular idea, group, or set of values. Example: "In order to succeed in this organization, it is essential to align oneself with the company's core values and mission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

By the 20th century, to use metalpoint was to align oneself with a most exacting tradition.

The Guardian - Arts

One way to be desirable to men may be to align oneself with their interests in the hope they might protect you.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last year, before Richard Spencer's burst of viral fame, it was still possible to align oneself with the alt-right without ever having encountered Spencer or his ideas.

The New Yorker

Free jazz, funk and noise-rock were outré departures then, and to align oneself with any of them, never mind all of them, was a self-marginalizing act.

The New York Times - Arts

This seems, to me, to be an unspoken but profound hindrance to all popular rebellions: if a person reads the right authors, and buys the right records, and vouches for those preferences loudly and repeatedly, it can feel like all the necessary work has been done to align oneself with the proper causes.

The New Yorker

Alluding to this distinction, Max Weber suggested that what marks out the charismatic leader is the ability to align oneself with the sacred: to capture a group of congregants' imagination so entirely that they associate the leader's persona – his very being – with the epitome of what they most cherish about life in general.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In particular, one cannot help aligning oneself with Edith's nine-year-old son, Robert Pretty.

The Guardian - Books

Aligning oneself with a hero, he added, is a convenient way to manage the chaos of a complicated event, and to present a point of view that can't be argued with.

The New Yorker

To race leaders like Wilkins, leadership meant keeping in touch with the powerful, and even to shrewd political analysts such as Levison, leadership meant aligning oneself with other powerful groups to form a strong coalition.

BBC

Genuine freedom is possible only if one goes beyond the strictures of normative orthodox teachings and aligns oneself completely with ziran, as Ji Kang boldly declares in "On Dispelling Self-interest".

SEP

She realizes that, when you've got money, aligning oneself with a demographic that's actually struggling is a pretty gross thing to do.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "align oneself" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of agreement or support.

Common error

Avoid using "align himself/herself" unless referring to a specific person. "Align oneself" is more general. The alternative is using the correct reflexive pronoun in the context of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

Align oneself functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is performing an action that affects themselves, such as adjusting their position or beliefs in relation to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "align oneself" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies the act of positioning oneself in agreement or harmony with a particular idea, group, or set of values. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral to professional register. To improve writing, ensure the subject is clearly defined and avoid misuse of reflexive pronouns. Related phrases such as "associate oneself" or "side with" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

associate oneself

Focuses on connecting or linking oneself with something.

position oneself

Emphasizes the act of placing oneself strategically.

side with

Highlights taking a particular stance or supporting a specific party.

fall in line

Implies conforming to a set standard or expectation.

get in sync

Suggests synchronizing with something.

harmonize with

Indicates achieving agreement or compatibility.

become attuned to

Stresses the process of adapting and becoming receptive.

adjust oneself

Highlights modifying oneself to fit a situation.

adapt to

Emphasizes the process of changing to suit new conditions.

conform to

Stresses adherence to rules or norms.

FAQs

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

You can use "align oneself" to indicate agreement or support, as in, "To succeed, one must "align oneself" with the company's goals."

What does it mean to "align oneself" with something?

To "align oneself" with something means to publicly agree with, support, or associate with a particular group, cause, or set of values. It implies a conscious decision to be in harmony or agreement.

What are some alternatives to using "align oneself"?

Alternatives to "align oneself" include "associate oneself", "position oneself", or "side with" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "align oneself"?

It is appropriate to use "align oneself" in formal or neutral contexts when emphasizing a deliberate act of agreement, support, or association with something.