back in alignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back in alignment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been restored to its proper position or state, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "After the adjustments were made, the wheels were back in alignment, ensuring a smoother ride."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

O.K., the planet is officially out of (or back in?) alignment: American farmers are making money hand over fist while the hedge fund guys are wishing they'd put a little more cash under the mattress.

The New York Times

He bought the place so he could step out the back door of his recording studio and play until the harmonies were back in alignment.

Forbes

The car will wobble a bit until all four tires are "put back in alignment".

Huffington Post

Before the Blackhawks put their planets back in alignment with a wild 5-4 ovictory victory Saturday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, their hopes of a hockey dynasty teetered on the edge in 37 seconds of the third period at the United Center.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When you sleep on your side, try lying with a pillow between your legs to keep your hips and back in proper alignment.

WikiHow

The central character takes action in pursuit of the goal that will bring his/her world back into alignment.

Huffington Post

But, the planets will soon move back into alignment and we will recapture the honor of bearing the largest burden of any commuters in the nation.

The New York Times

But political instability and deteriorating economies in some of these states has alarmed powers in the West, especially Germany, and intensified concern that the East-West divide will only deepen if troubled countries fall back into alignment with Russia.

The New York Times

But political instability and deteriorating economies in some of the countries have alarmed Western nations, especially Germany, and have intensified concern that the East-West divide would only deepen if troubled countries fall back into alignment with Russia.

The New York Times

2) If you hang around long enough the zeitgeist will eventually invite you in for tea and scones ("We never changed, but the business has moved back into alignment with us").

The Guardian - Music

But what can bring it back into alignment?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back in alignment" when describing a restoration to a previous state, whether literal (e.g., wheels on a car) or figurative (e.g., a company's goals).

Common error

Avoid using "back in alignment" when simply referring to a new state of alignment. This phrase implies a return to a previous, known alignment, not the creation of a new one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back in alignment" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing a state of restoration or re-establishment. It indicates that something has returned to a previously correct or desired position, order, or agreement, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back in alignment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression signifying a return to a previous state of order or correctness. As affirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys that an adjustment or correction has been made. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, with a generally neutral register. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a restoration to a prior state, not the creation of a new one. Related terms include "returned to alignment" and "realigned", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned to alignment

Focuses on the action of returning to a previously aligned state.

restored to proper alignment

Emphasizes the restoration aspect and the correctness of the alignment.

brought back into alignment

Highlights the act of someone or something causing the realignment.

realigned

A more concise term indicating a new alignment.

back into synchronization

Suggests a return to a state of coordinated timing or movement.

returned to order

Implies a restoration to a state of structure and arrangement.

back to normal

A general term for returning to a typical or expected condition.

brought into harmony again

Focuses on the restoration of harmonious relations or balance.

rectified

Emphasizes the correction of something that was wrong.

set right

A more colloquial term for correcting or fixing a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "back in alignment" in a sentence?

You can use "back in alignment" to describe something that has been restored to its proper position or state. For example, "After some setbacks, our project is finally "back in alignment" with the original goals."

What are some alternatives to "back in alignment"?

Alternatives include "returned to alignment", "restored to proper alignment", or simply "realigned", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bring back in alignment"?

While grammatically understandable, "bring back in alignment" is less common than "bring "back into alignment"". The latter flows more naturally and is widely accepted.

What does it mean when things are "back in alignment"?

It typically means that something that was previously out of sync or order has been adjusted or corrected to match a desired or original state. This can apply to physical objects, strategies, or even personal well-being.