alignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alignment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the arrangement or positioning of elements in relation to each other, often in fields like design, strategy, or personal values. Example: "The alignment of our goals with the company's mission is crucial for our success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sinn Féin, which is straining to keep its anti-austerity policies north and south of the border in alignment, warned of an impending crisis that could "engulf the political institutions" of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

Or is it political, an alignment with Ukip?

The Guardian

The town was the last and largest, and by far the most resolutely modern, of the postwar new towns – though it has some surprisingly romantic features, such as the alignment of Midsummer Boulevard, and the shopping centre itself, with the sunrise on the summer solstice.

The Guardian - Arts

The political Treasury and the official Treasury were in alignment.

The Guardian

But a great many Indigenous people disagree with him and believe his close alignment with Abbott is a dramatic, personally risky, strategic error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trigg's statement late last week that Malthouse had gone "off message" in airing the club's dirty laundry was followed today by talk of a "values-based approach", "stakeholders", "alignment" and again, "messaging", corporate jargon better left on PowerPoint slides than offered up as excuses to frustrated football fans.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed to me of critical importance that no one was in any doubt of the Treasury's position, by which I mean the political and official Treasury, the fact that there was complete alignment.

The Guardian

"We need better alignment with the way people spend their time," Dr Garnsey said.

The Guardian

But affection and alignment are not the same.On a trip to Berlin ahead of Mrs Merkel's visit, your columnist garnered a sobering sense of what Germany might actually be willing to undertake to save Mr Cameron's rosy face.

The Economist

Fines are frequently used to fund government budgets; and many a political career has been launched on the back of a high-profile deal, without the need to prove allegations in court.This cosy alignment of incentives worries some.

The Economist

In practice, the alignment of interests is imperfect.Equity-related pay schemes tempt managers to seek to boost the share price in the short term, giving them the chance to cash out their stakes, to the detriment of the company and its shareholders in the long run.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that when using "alignment" you clearly specify what elements are being aligned and what the desired outcome of that alignment is.

Common error

Avoid using "alignment" vaguely; specify what is being aligned with what. For example, instead of saying "We need better alignment", specify "We need better alignment of our marketing efforts with our sales goals."

Linguistic Context

The word "alignment" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a state of agreement, arrangement, or correct relative position. Ludwig AI confirms this is the most common function. It can also describe the act of bringing into such a state, as shown by examples like "We need better alignment with the way people spend their time."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alignment" is a noun commonly used to describe a state of agreement, arrangement, or proper positioning. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and versatile. It's frequently used in news, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, always specify what is being aligned and with what. The phrase can be replaced with synonyms like "agreement", "congruence", or "coordination", depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

congruence

Highlights the similarity or compatibility between things.

agreement

Focuses on the state of concurring or sharing the same sentiments.

accord

Stresses the state of agreement or harmony.

coordination

Emphasizes the harmonious functioning of elements towards a common goal.

harmonization

Implies bringing different elements into harmony or agreement.

correspondence

Indicates a direct relationship or similarity between two things.

correlation

Suggests a mutual relationship or connection.

configuration

Refers to the arrangement of elements in a specific form.

coalescence

Describes the merging of elements into a single entity.

conjunction

Highlights the simultaneous occurrence or combination of events.

FAQs

How can I use "alignment" in a sentence?

You can use "alignment" to describe the arrangement of items in a line, the process of adjusting a mechanism, or an alliance of factions. For example, "The "alignment of the planets" offered a rare opportunity for travel."

What's the difference between "alignment" and "agreement"?

"Alignment" often refers to a more structured or intentional arrangement or correspondence, while "agreement" focuses on a shared opinion or understanding. You can aim for "business alignment", but reach an agreement with someone.

What can I say instead of "alignment"?

Alternatives include "agreement", "congruence", or "coordination", depending on the specific context.

Which is the correct use, "alignment with" or "alignment to"?

"Alignment with" is generally preferred when indicating a relationship or agreement, while "alignment to" can be used when referring to adjusting something to a specific standard.