What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
orients
Example
The map helped us orient ourselves in the unfamiliar city. [orient: verb]
Example
The teacher oriented the new students to the school's policies and procedures. [oriented: past tense]
align
Example
Please align the chairs in a straight line. [align: verb]
Example
The company's goals are aligned with the needs of its customers. [aligned: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Align is more commonly used than orient in everyday language. Align is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while orient is less common and often used in specific situations such as travel or cultural adaptation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between orients and align?
Both orient and align are relatively formal words, but align may be slightly more formal due to its use in technical or business contexts.
