align oneself with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "align oneself with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing agreement or support for a particular idea, group, or cause. Example: "In order to promote social justice, it is important to align oneself with organizations that advocate for equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 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

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

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

Two: align string with tape measure.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "align oneself with" when you want to emphasize a deliberate choice to associate or agree with a particular group, cause, or ideology. This phrasing highlights the personal connection and intentionality behind the alignment.

Common error

Avoid using reflexive phrases like "align oneself with" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound stiff and unnatural. Vary your phrasing to maintain a more engaging and fluid style. Consider using direct verbs like "support" or "advocate" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "align oneself with" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating a deliberate action taken by an individual to associate or agree with a specific group, cause, or set of beliefs. Ludwig examples show its common usage in news and opinion contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "align oneself with" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a deliberate choice to associate with or support a particular group, cause, or ideology. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express agreement or affiliation, often in neutral to professional contexts. Although not as frequent as simpler alternatives like "support", it adds a nuance of intentionality and conscious alignment. It frequently appears in news and media, with less common usage in purely informal settings. When writing, it's important to balance its use with other expressions to maintain a natural and engaging style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

associate with

Focuses on connection or relationship rather than active agreement.

express support for

Focuses on verbally or publicly indicating agreement.

affiliate with

Emphasizes a formal connection or membership.

side with

Highlights taking a position in support of one side over another.

show solidarity with

Emphasizes demonstrating support for a group or cause.

throw in with

Suggests joining forces or collaborating.

find common cause with

Emphasizes identifying shared goals or interests.

profess allegiance to

Highlights declaring loyalty to a person, group, or cause.

become an advocate for

Highlights active promotion of a cause or idea.

espouse the views of

Focuses on adopting and promoting particular beliefs.

FAQs

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

Use "align oneself with" to indicate a deliberate choice to support or associate with a particular cause, group, or ideology. For example, "The politician chose to "align oneself with" the environmental movement."

What's the difference between "align oneself with" and "support"?

"Align oneself with" implies a more formal or public association, while "support" is a broader term that can encompass various forms of assistance or agreement. You can "support" a cause without necessarily aligning yourself completely with it.

Are there synonyms for "align oneself with"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "associate with", "affiliate with", or "side with" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "align oneself with" in writing?

It's suitable to use "align oneself with" when you want to highlight a conscious decision to publicly support or associate with a particular entity or viewpoint. It's often used in discussions about politics, social movements, or professional affiliations.