align themselves with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "align themselves with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of supporting or agreeing with a particular group, idea, or cause. Example: "Many organizations choose to align themselves with environmental initiatives to promote sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some itinerant executives align themselves with agencies.

The New York Times

Cells were shown to align themselves with the scaffold.

Biomaterials

Playing in galleries, they align themselves with art over pop.

The Guardian - Music

But which teams do they align themselves with?

The New York Times

They don't align themselves with the thinkers, they align themselves with marketing, advertising, futurist crowd who are interested in ideas for the sake of ideas.

The Guardian - Tech

For a long time they didn't even align themselves with a party.

The New York Times - Arts

These are all demographics that traditionally align themselves with the Democrats".

The New York Times

When influential people align themselves with extreme views, they help normalize them.

The Guardian - Tech

Big brands are clamouring to align themselves with electronic dance music.

The Guardian - Music

No modern politicians wish to align themselves with Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once again, national elites in the poor nations align themselves with the elite in other countries.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "align themselves with", ensure the subject clearly benefits or finds common ground with the entity they are aligning with. This strengthens the rationale and impact of the alignment.

Common error

Avoid using "align themselves with" when the intention is merely to acknowledge or recognize something. Alignment implies a degree of active support or shared purpose, not just passive awareness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "align themselves with" is that of a phrasal verb expressing a deliberate action of association or support. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase indicates a conscious choice to be connected to or in agreement with something. The meaning from Ludwig AI is to support or agree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "align themselves with" is a common phrasal verb that signifies a deliberate action of showing agreement or support. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it showcases how individuals or groups intentionally associate with certain causes or ideologies. When writing, remember that "align themselves with" suggests a commitment beyond simple acknowledgement and the importance of ensuring that subject's decision to align is logical. Using alternatives such as "associate themselves with" or "side with" can bring nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

associate themselves with

Focuses more on a connection or link, rather than necessarily agreeing.

affiliate themselves with

Implies a formal connection or membership.

side with

Indicates taking a position in favor of someone or something, often in a conflict.

support

A simpler, more direct term for offering help or approval.

endorse

Suggests a formal or public declaration of approval or support.

identify with

Indicates a feeling of connection or shared characteristics.

gravitate towards

Suggests a natural or unconscious attraction or inclination.

fall in line with

Implies conforming to or agreeing with a set of rules or expectations.

be in agreement with

A more formal way of expressing agreement.

take sides with

Similar to 'side with', but emphasizes the act of choosing a side.

FAQs

How to use "align themselves with" in a sentence?

Use "align themselves with" to indicate that a person, group, or organization is publicly supporting or associating with a particular cause, group, or set of values. For example, "The company chose to "align themselves with" a charity to improve its public image".

What can I say instead of "align themselves with"?

You can use alternatives like "associate themselves with", "affiliate themselves with", or "side with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "align themselves with" or "aligned themselves with"?

"Align themselves with" is the present tense form, used for general statements or ongoing actions. "Aligned themselves with" is the past tense, used for completed actions. For example, "They "align themselves with" sustainable practices now" versus "They "aligned themselves with" the movement last year".

What's the difference between "align themselves with" and "identify with"?

"Align themselves with" suggests a conscious decision to publicly support or associate with something. "Identify with", on the other hand, implies a feeling of connection or shared characteristics, which may not necessarily involve public support or action.