to align

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to align" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of bringing things into agreement or harmony, whether in ideas, goals, or physical objects. Example: "We need to align our strategies to ensure a successful project outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Everything has to align.

The New York Times

The stars have to align.

The New York Times

"Thousands of stars have to align".

The New York Times

I want to align compensation with performance".

The New York Times

"The stars seemed to align for us.

The New York Times

A few other things needed to align.

The New York Times

"It's difficult — like getting all the stars to align".

The New York Times - Health

Shouldn't they be looking to align our values?

The Guardian

Our model is to align ourselves with real estate developers.

The New York Times

People tend to align naturally around common skills or backgrounds.

The New York Times

Find two parties who are desperate to align their incentives.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to align", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being aligned and with what. For example, "to align business goals with employee incentives" is more precise than simply "to align goals".

Common error

Avoid using "to align" without specifying what elements are being aligned. Vague statements like "We need to align" lack clarity. Instead, clarify the subject: "We need to align our marketing strategy with our sales targets".

Linguistic Context

"To align" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. Ludwig examples show its use in expressing purpose or intention to bring elements into agreement or proper arrangement. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to align" is a versatile and frequently used expression that describes the act of bringing elements into agreement or proper order. As noted by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and suitable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being aligned and with what, and consider alternatives such as "to coordinate" or "to harmonize" to fine-tune your intended meaning. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "to align" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to coordinate

Focuses on arranging elements for efficient function, similar to aligning but emphasizes collaboration.

to synchronize

Highlights timing and simultaneous action, a specific form of aligning actions or events.

to harmonize

Emphasizes creating agreement or compatibility, especially in abstract concepts like goals or values.

to adjust

Suggests making small changes to achieve a better fit or alignment.

to correlate

Focuses on establishing a relationship or connection between two or more things.

to attune

Implies bringing something into harmony or resonance with something else.

to calibrate

Emphasizes precise adjustment for accuracy and alignment with a standard.

to collate

Focuses on gathering and arranging information in a specific order.

to regularize

Suggests conforming to a standard or rule, implying alignment with that standard.

to equate

Focuses on establishing equivalence or correspondence between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "to align" in a sentence?

The phrase "to align" is used to describe bringing things into a state of agreement, correspondence, or proper relative position. For example, "The company sought to align its values with sustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "to align"?

Alternatives include "to coordinate", "to synchronize", or "to harmonize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "align with" or just "align"?

While both can be correct, "align with" often provides clearer context by explicitly stating what something is being aligned with. "Align" alone can be used if the context is already clear.

How does "to align" differ from "to adjust"?

"To align" implies bringing into a specific arrangement or agreement, while "to adjust" suggests making incremental changes to improve something, which may or may not involve alignment with something else.