associated themselves with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "associated themselves with" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a connection or affiliation with a person, group, or idea. Example: "The organization associated themselves with several local charities." Alternative expressions include "aligned themselves with" and "connected themselves to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Many partners associated themselves with NATO's concerns.

The Guardian

The Labour party have successfully associated themselves with modernity.

The Guardian

Today, 116 countries have associated themselves with the accord.

The Guardian

Others associated themselves with the forgetfulness described in our article on midlife memory loss.

The New York Times

Wood and Shields associated themselves with Moriu's Trousseau Laundry for experimental purposes.

The New Yorker

No active-duty military commanders have openly associated themselves with the criticism by the retired generals.

The New York Times

At the same time certain Sufi orders have closely associated themselves with Shiism.

The New York Times - Arts

Ever since the Carnegie Hall riot, rock and pop musicians have associated themselves with his music.

The Guardian

This is the White House these officials work for and have associated themselves with.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They all associate themselves with the country.

The New York Times

Politicians today seize any opportunity to associate themselves with football.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject is plural (e.g., 'they', 'the members', 'countries') to match the reflexive pronoun 'themselves'.

Common error

Avoid using 'themselves' if the subject is singular; for instance, 'the company associated itself with' is correct, while 'the company associated themselves with' is often considered a mismatch in formal contexts. Additionally, do not confuse this active reflexive form with the passive 'were associated with', which implies the connection was made by others rather than the subjects themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "associated themselves with" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It consists of the past participle 'associated', the reflexive pronoun 'themselves', and the preposition 'with'. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to indicate that the subjects of the sentence are the ones initiating the connection, rather than being linked by an external party.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "associated themselves with" is an essential phrase for writers who need to describe a group's intentional choice to align with an idea, movement, or organization. Ludwig data demonstrates its heavy presence in top-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it often appears in the context of international diplomacy and political strategy. Unlike the passive "associated with", this reflexive version emphasizes agency and deliberate identification. For those looking for more specific nuances, alternatives like "<a href="/s/aligned+themselves+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">aligned themselves with" or "<a href="/s/affiliated+themselves+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">affiliated themselves with" are excellent substitutes depending on whether the context is ideological or institutional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aligned themselves with

Emphasizes political or strategic agreement between two parties.

affiliated themselves with

Suggests a more formal or institutional membership or connection.

allied themselves with

Specifically denotes a partnership for a common goal, often in a military or competitive context.

identified with

Focuses on personal or emotional resonance rather than formal affiliation.

linked themselves with

Indicates a direct connection, frequently used in investigative or journalistic reporting.

connected themselves with

A more general term for establishing a relationship or tie.

committed themselves to

Shifts the focus toward dedication and future action for a cause.

attached themselves to

Sometimes implies a dependent or opportunistic connection.

teamed up with

A more informal alternative suggesting active collaboration.

identified themselves as

Focuses on the label or category the group adopts for itself.

FAQs

How do I use "associated themselves with" in a sentence?

You use it to show that a group actively chose to be linked to something, such as: "Several major corporations have <a href="/s/associated+themselves+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">associated themselves with the new environmental initiative."

What is the difference between "associated with" and "associated themselves with"?

The phrase "associated with" is often passive (e.g., "he is associated with the firm"), whereas "associated themselves with" is active and reflexive, highlighting the subject's intentional choice to align.

Can I say "aligned themselves with" instead?

Yes, you can use "<a href="/s/aligned+themselves+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">aligned themselves with" particularly when describing political, strategic, or ideological agreements.

Is it correct to use "affiliated themselves with" for professional groups?

Yes, "<a href="/s/affiliated+themselves+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">affiliated themselves with" is a perfect, slightly more formal alternative for organizational or professional contexts.