Alinearse

Alinearse is a Spanish pronominal verb that means to place oneself in a line physically or to align oneself with a person, group, plan, or idea. In a literal sense, it can describe forming a line or positioning oneself along a direction. In a figurative sense, it refers to adopting a stance, joining a cause, or coordinating with policies, strategies, or collaborators.

Usage and nuances:

Alinearse typically takes the preposition con when referring to alignment with a group, policy, or position (alinearse con). Examples: “El país se alineó con la coalición,” or “Muchos empresarios se alinean con las metas de sostenibilidad.” It can also indicate aligning with organizational or strategic objectives (alinearse con un plan). In mechanical or spatial contexts, the term emphasizes conformity to a line or route.

Conjugation:

Alinearse is a regular -ar verb in its reflexive form. Present: me alineo, te alineas, se alinea, nos alineamos, os alineáis, se alinean. Preterite: me alineé, te alineaste, se alineó, nos alineamos, os alineasteis, se alinearon. Imperfect: me alineaba, te alineabas, se alineaba, nos alineábamos, os alineabais, se alineaban. Subjunctive present: me alinee, te alinees, se alinee, nos alineemos, os alineéis, se alineen. The imperative forms vary by person, with the reflexive pronoun attached (afirmative and negative forms follow standard regla).

Related terms:

Nouns: alineación (alignment), desalineación (misalignment). Adjective: alineado (aligned). Verb without reflexive: alinear (to align).

Etymology:

The form derives from the root aline- (from línea, line) with the suffix -ar and the reflexive se, indicating an action one performs on oneself or to adopt a position.