must align with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must align with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to making sure that two or more things are coordinated or in agreement with each other. For example, "All departmental policies must align with the company's mission statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

For an alignment to be valid, it must align with 100% nucleotide over the entire extent of the Illumina (Illumina, San Diego, CA) read.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Our alliances must align with customer demand.

Harvard Business Review

PSI software rationale must align with surgeons' intraoperative goals.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

A strategic narrative must align with this brand DNA or it will be perceived as inauthentic.

Harvard Business Review

Pro-European governments must align with civil society in a civil-political movement for democratic reform.

The Washington Post

The goals of the project team and those of its individual members must align with organizational objectives.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

So we're left with two polarizing options that fans must align themselves with.

HuffPost

Innovators must align themselves with partners, suppliers, retailers, networks, distributors and other partners.

Duke University

Companies must align R&D with strategy and ensure that they have robust innovation management processes in place to take products to market.

Forbes

To do this correctly you must align oneself with the highest energy field possible: "Divine Love".

Huffington Post

To make a clear and decisive voice in the crowded space, marketers must align themselves with latest trends in the market.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must align with", ensure that the subject requiring alignment is clearly defined, as well as the object or standard it needs to align with. This clarifies the relationship and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "must align with" without clearly specifying what needs to be aligned. For example, instead of saying "Things must align with the strategy", specify what 'things' refers to such as, "Project goals must align with the overall business strategy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must align with" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a strong necessity or requirement for concordance or agreement. It is used to express that something is essential for compatibility or coherence, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must align with" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a strong requirement for agreement or coordination. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase sees frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic fields. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what needs to be aligned and what it should align with. Alternatives such as "should be in accordance with" or "needs to be consistent with" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remembering these points helps in effectively incorporating "must align with" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be in accordance with

Emphasizes adherence to a standard or guideline.

needs to be consistent with

Highlights the importance of maintaining uniformity or predictability.

must be in agreement with

Focuses on the necessity of mutual understanding and accord.

should correspond to

Implies a relationship of direct equivalence or matching.

needs to be synchronized with

Stresses the importance of temporal coordination.

should be attuned to

Suggests a sensitive adjustment to match a specific condition.

must be compatible with

Highlights the need for coexistence or harmonious interaction.

needs to be in harmony with

Emphasizes a state of peaceful or aesthetic congruence.

should be in conformity with

Suggests a formal adherence to rules or standards.

must dovetail with

Implies a seamless fit or integration between elements.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must align with" indicates a requirement for agreement or coordination. For example, "All project objectives must align with the company's strategic goals."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "must align with"?

You can use alternatives like "should be in accordance with", "needs to be consistent with", or "must be in agreement with" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "must comply with" or "must align with"?

"Must comply with" implies adherence to a regulation or rule, while "must align with" suggests a broader agreement or compatibility. Use "must comply with" when referring to regulations and "must align with" when referring to strategies or goals.

How does "must align with" differ from "should align with"?

"Must align with" implies a strict requirement, whereas "should align with" suggests a recommendation. "Must" indicates necessity, while "should" allows for flexibility.