diff --git a/src/eval/mod.rs b/src/eval/mod.rs
index 1ff497e89..6b28e5abe 100644
--- a/src/eval/mod.rs
+++ b/src/eval/mod.rs
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ impl Eval for CallArgs {
                     }
                     v => {
                         if let Value::Dyn(dynamic) = &v {
-                            if let Some(args) = dynamic.downcast_ref::<Args>() {
+                            if let Some(args) = dynamic.downcast::<Args>() {
                                 items.extend(args.items.iter().cloned());
                                 continue;
                             }
diff --git a/src/eval/ops.rs b/src/eval/ops.rs
index e40fa78de..6fac354d3 100644
--- a/src/eval/ops.rs
+++ b/src/eval/ops.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 use std::cmp::Ordering;
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
 
-use super::Value;
+use super::{Dynamic, Value};
 use crate::diag::StrResult;
+use crate::geom::{Align, Get, Spec};
 use crate::util::EcoString;
 use Value::*;
 
@@ -87,7 +88,25 @@ pub fn add(lhs: Value, rhs: Value) -> StrResult<Value> {
         (Template(a), Str(b)) => Template(a + b),
         (Str(a), Template(b)) => Template(a + b),
 
-        (a, b) => mismatch!("cannot add {} and {}", a, b),
+        (a, b) => {
+            if let (Dyn(a), Dyn(b)) = (&a, &b) {
+                // 1D alignments can be summed into 2D alignments.
+                if let (Some(&a), Some(&b)) =
+                    (a.downcast::<Align>(), b.downcast::<Align>())
+                {
+                    if a.axis() == b.axis() {
+                        return Err(format!("cannot add two {:?} alignments", a.axis()));
+                    }
+
+                    let mut aligns = Spec::default();
+                    aligns.set(a.axis(), Some(a));
+                    aligns.set(b.axis(), Some(b));
+                    return Ok(Dyn(Dynamic::new(aligns)));
+                }
+            }
+
+            mismatch!("cannot add {} and {}", a, b);
+        }
     })
 }
 
diff --git a/src/eval/value.rs b/src/eval/value.rs
index dec5c6c0e..16e8b8103 100644
--- a/src/eval/value.rs
+++ b/src/eval/value.rs
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ impl Dynamic {
     }
 
     /// Try to downcast to a reference to a specific type.
-    pub fn downcast_ref<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
+    pub fn downcast<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
         self.0.as_any().downcast_ref()
     }
 
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ where
     }
 
     fn dyn_eq(&self, other: &Dynamic) -> bool {
-        if let Some(other) = other.downcast_ref::<Self>() {
+        if let Some(other) = other.downcast::<Self>() {
             self == other
         } else {
             false
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ macro_rules! castable {
                 let found = match value {
                     $($pattern => return Ok($out),)*
                     $crate::eval::Value::Dyn(dynamic) => {
-                        $(if let Some($dyn_in) = dynamic.downcast_ref::<$dyn_type>() {
+                        $(if let Some($dyn_in) = dynamic.downcast::<$dyn_type>() {
                             return Ok($dyn_out);
                         })*
                         dynamic.type_name()
diff --git a/src/geom/spec.rs b/src/geom/spec.rs
index 576c1c89b..02263481d 100644
--- a/src/geom/spec.rs
+++ b/src/geom/spec.rs
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ impl<T: Debug> Debug for Spec<T> {
 }
 
 /// The two specific layouting axes.
-#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
+#[derive(Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub enum SpecAxis {
     /// The horizontal layouting axis.
     Horizontal,
@@ -150,3 +150,12 @@ impl SpecAxis {
         }
     }
 }
+
+impl Debug for SpecAxis {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.pad(match self {
+            Self::Horizontal => "horizontal",
+            Self::Vertical => "vertical",
+        })
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/layout/mod.rs b/src/layout/mod.rs
index 8f46c049a..be4e994cd 100644
--- a/src/layout/mod.rs
+++ b/src/layout/mod.rs
@@ -104,27 +104,27 @@ impl PackedNode {
     }
 
     /// Force a size for this node.
-    pub fn sized(self, w: Option<Linear>, h: Option<Linear>) -> Self {
-        if w.is_some() || h.is_some() {
-            SizedNode { child: self, sizing: Spec::new(w, h) }.pack()
+    pub fn sized(self, sizing: Spec<Option<Linear>>) -> Self {
+        if sizing.any(Option::is_some) {
+            SizedNode { child: self, sizing }.pack()
         } else {
             self
         }
     }
 
     /// Set alignments for this node.
-    pub fn aligned(self, x: Option<Align>, y: Option<Align>) -> Self {
-        if x.is_some() || y.is_some() {
-            AlignNode { child: self, aligns: Spec::new(x, y) }.pack()
+    pub fn aligned(self, aligns: Spec<Option<Align>>) -> Self {
+        if aligns.any(Option::is_some) {
+            AlignNode { child: self, aligns }.pack()
         } else {
             self
         }
     }
 
     /// Move this node's contents without affecting layout.
-    pub fn moved(self, dx: Option<Linear>, dy: Option<Linear>) -> Self {
-        if dx.is_some() || dy.is_some() {
-            MoveNode { child: self, offset: Spec::new(dx, dy) }.pack()
+    pub fn moved(self, offset: Spec<Option<Linear>>) -> Self {
+        if offset.any(Option::is_some) {
+            MoveNode { child: self, offset }.pack()
         } else {
             self
         }
diff --git a/src/library/align.rs b/src/library/align.rs
index 97196aa78..7ce749d1f 100644
--- a/src/library/align.rs
+++ b/src/library/align.rs
@@ -2,32 +2,18 @@ use super::prelude::*;
 
 /// `align`: Configure the alignment along the layouting axes.
 pub fn align(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let Spec { x, y } = parse_aligns(args)?;
+    let aligns = args.expect::<Spec<_>>("alignment")?;
     let body = args.expect::<Template>("body")?;
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_block(move |style| {
         let mut style = style.clone();
-        if let Some(x) = x {
+        if let Some(x) = aligns.x {
             style.par_mut().align = x;
         }
 
-        body.pack(&style).aligned(x, y)
+        body.pack(&style).aligned(aligns)
     })))
 }
 
-/// Parse alignment arguments with shorthand.
-pub(super) fn parse_aligns(args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Spec<Option<Align>>> {
-    let mut x = args.named("horizontal")?;
-    let mut y = args.named("vertical")?;
-    for Spanned { v, span } in args.all::<Spanned<Align>>() {
-        match v.axis() {
-            SpecAxis::Horizontal if x.is_none() => x = Some(v),
-            SpecAxis::Vertical if y.is_none() => y = Some(v),
-            _ => bail!(span, "unexpected argument"),
-        }
-    }
-    Ok(Spec::new(x, y))
-}
-
 /// A node that aligns its child.
 #[derive(Debug, Hash)]
 pub struct AlignNode {
diff --git a/src/library/image.rs b/src/library/image.rs
index b0d66a636..a53eacc57 100644
--- a/src/library/image.rs
+++ b/src/library/image.rs
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ use crate::image::ImageId;
 /// `image`: An image.
 pub fn image(ctx: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
     let path = args.expect::<Spanned<EcoString>>("path to image file")?;
-    let width = args.named("width")?;
-    let height = args.named("height")?;
+    let sizing = Spec::new(args.named("width")?, args.named("height")?);
     let fit = args.named("fit")?.unwrap_or_default();
 
     // Load the image.
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ pub fn image(ctx: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
     })?;
 
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_inline(move |_| {
-        ImageNode { id, fit }.pack().sized(width, height)
+        ImageNode { id, fit }.pack().sized(sizing)
     })))
 }
 
diff --git a/src/library/mod.rs b/src/library/mod.rs
index 9fe15a0f1..9e7f6f28d 100644
--- a/src/library/mod.rs
+++ b/src/library/mod.rs
@@ -141,6 +141,15 @@ dynamic! {
     Align: "alignment",
 }
 
+dynamic! {
+    Spec<Option<Align>>: "2d alignment",
+    @align: Align => {
+        let mut aligns = Spec::default();
+        aligns.set(align.axis(), Some(*align));
+        aligns
+    },
+}
+
 dynamic! {
     FontFamily: "font family",
     Value::Str(string) => Self::Named(string.to_lowercase()),
diff --git a/src/library/par.rs b/src/library/par.rs
index 4d291fdcb..5edffeaad 100644
--- a/src/library/par.rs
+++ b/src/library/par.rs
@@ -24,20 +24,18 @@ pub fn par(ctx: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
             });
 
     if let Some(Spanned { v, span }) = args.named::<Spanned<Dir>>("dir")? {
-        if v.axis() == SpecAxis::Horizontal {
-            dir = Some(v);
-        } else {
+        if v.axis() != SpecAxis::Horizontal {
             bail!(span, "must be horizontal");
         }
+        dir = Some(v);
     }
 
     let mut align = None;
     if let Some(Spanned { v, span }) = args.named::<Spanned<Align>>("align")? {
-        if v.axis() == SpecAxis::Horizontal {
-            align = Some(v);
-        } else {
+        if v.axis() != SpecAxis::Horizontal {
             bail!(span, "must be horizontal");
         }
+        align = Some(v);
     }
 
     ctx.template.modify(move |style| {
diff --git a/src/library/placed.rs b/src/library/placed.rs
index 0d92fc350..e2c2e9e8d 100644
--- a/src/library/placed.rs
+++ b/src/library/placed.rs
@@ -1,18 +1,13 @@
-use super::parse_aligns;
 use super::prelude::*;
 
 /// `place`: Place content at an absolute position.
 pub fn place(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let Spec { x, y } = parse_aligns(args)?;
-    let dx = args.named("dx")?;
-    let dy = args.named("dy")?;
+    let aligns = args.find().unwrap_or(Spec::new(Some(Align::Left), None));
+    let offset = Spec::new(args.named("dx")?, args.named("dy")?);
     let body: Template = args.expect("body")?;
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_block(move |style| {
         PlacedNode {
-            child: body
-                .pack(style)
-                .moved(dx, dy)
-                .aligned(Some(x.unwrap_or(Align::Left)), y),
+            child: body.pack(style).moved(offset).aligned(aligns),
         }
     })))
 }
diff --git a/src/library/shape.rs b/src/library/shape.rs
index f47da82f7..061b4d252 100644
--- a/src/library/shape.rs
+++ b/src/library/shape.rs
@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ use crate::util::RcExt;
 
 /// `rect`: A rectangle with optional content.
 pub fn rect(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let width = args.named("width")?;
-    let height = args.named("height")?;
-    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Rect, width, height)
+    let sizing = Spec::new(args.named("width")?, args.named("height")?);
+    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Rect, sizing)
 }
 
 /// `square`: A square with optional content.
@@ -21,14 +20,14 @@ pub fn square(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
         None => args.named("height")?,
         size => size,
     };
-    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Square, width, height)
+    let sizing = Spec::new(width, height);
+    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Square, sizing)
 }
 
 /// `ellipse`: An ellipse with optional content.
 pub fn ellipse(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let width = args.named("width")?;
-    let height = args.named("height")?;
-    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Ellipse, width, height)
+    let sizing = Spec::new(args.named("width")?, args.named("height")?);
+    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Ellipse, sizing)
 }
 
 /// `circle`: A circle with optional content.
@@ -42,14 +41,14 @@ pub fn circle(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
         None => args.named("height")?,
         diameter => diameter,
     };
-    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Circle, width, height)
+    let sizing = Spec::new(width, height);
+    shape_impl(args, ShapeKind::Circle, sizing)
 }
 
 fn shape_impl(
     args: &mut Args,
     kind: ShapeKind,
-    width: Option<Linear>,
-    height: Option<Linear>,
+    sizing: Spec<Option<Linear>>,
 ) -> TypResult<Value> {
     // The default appearance of a shape.
     let default = Stroke {
@@ -67,7 +66,10 @@ fn shape_impl(
         }),
     };
 
+    // Shorthand for padding.
     let padding = Sides::splat(args.named("padding")?.unwrap_or_default());
+
+    // The shape's contents.
     let body = args.find::<Template>();
 
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_inline(move |style| {
@@ -78,7 +80,7 @@ fn shape_impl(
             child: body.as_ref().map(|body| body.pack(style).padded(padding)),
         }
         .pack()
-        .sized(width, height)
+        .sized(sizing)
     })))
 }
 
diff --git a/src/library/sized.rs b/src/library/sized.rs
index 3089f90b7..8d69afacb 100644
--- a/src/library/sized.rs
+++ b/src/library/sized.rs
@@ -2,21 +2,19 @@ use super::prelude::*;
 
 /// `box`: Size content and place it into a paragraph.
 pub fn box_(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let width = args.named("width")?;
-    let height = args.named("height")?;
+    let sizing = Spec::new(args.named("width")?, args.named("height")?);
     let body: Template = args.find().unwrap_or_default();
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_inline(move |style| {
-        body.pack(style).sized(width, height)
+        body.pack(style).sized(sizing)
     })))
 }
 
 /// `block`: Size content and place it into the flow.
 pub fn block(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let width = args.named("width")?;
-    let height = args.named("height")?;
+    let sizing = Spec::new(args.named("width")?, args.named("height")?);
     let body: Template = args.find().unwrap_or_default();
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_block(move |style| {
-        body.pack(style).sized(width, height)
+        body.pack(style).sized(sizing)
     })))
 }
 
diff --git a/src/library/transform.rs b/src/library/transform.rs
index 107523584..7553bef2e 100644
--- a/src/library/transform.rs
+++ b/src/library/transform.rs
@@ -2,11 +2,10 @@ use super::prelude::*;
 
 /// `move`: Move content without affecting layout.
 pub fn move_(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let dx = args.named("dx")?;
-    let dy = args.named("dy")?;
+    let offset = Spec::new(args.named("x")?, args.named("y")?);
     let body: Template = args.expect("body")?;
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_inline(move |style| {
-        body.pack(style).moved(dx, dy)
+        body.pack(style).moved(offset)
     })))
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/typ/elements/circle.typ b/tests/typ/elements/circle.typ
index 9590ef7bb..2e97e985c 100644
--- a/tests/typ/elements/circle.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/elements/circle.typ
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@
 
 Auto-sized circle. \
 #circle(fill: rgb("eb5278"), thickness: 2pt,
-  align(center, horizon)[But, soft!]
+  align(center + horizon)[But, soft!]
 )
 
 Center-aligned rect in auto-sized circle.
 #circle(fill: forest, stroke: conifer,
-  align(center, horizon,
+  align(center + horizon,
     rect(fill: conifer, pad(5pt)[But, soft!])
   )
 )
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Expanded by height.
 
 ---
 // Test relative sizing.
-#let centered(body) = align(center, horizon, body)
+#let centered(body) = align(center + horizon, body)
 #font(fill: white)
 #rect(width: 100pt, height: 50pt, fill: rgb("aaa"), centered[
   #circle(radius: 10pt, fill: eastern, centered[A])      // D=20pt
diff --git a/tests/typ/elements/ellipse.typ b/tests/typ/elements/ellipse.typ
index 4f1d3187a..47f6d0e1f 100644
--- a/tests/typ/elements/ellipse.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/elements/ellipse.typ
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Rect in ellipse in fixed rect. \
 #rect(width: 3cm, height: 2cm, fill: rgb("2a631a"),
   ellipse(fill: forest,
     rect(fill: conifer,
-      align(center, horizon)[
+      align(center + horizon)[
         Stuff inside an ellipse!
       ]
     )
diff --git a/tests/typ/elements/image.typ b/tests/typ/elements/image.typ
index 84260a28e..9d192b406 100644
--- a/tests/typ/elements/image.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/elements/image.typ
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 #image("../../res/tiger.jpg", width: 100%, height: 20pt, fit: "stretch")
 
 // Make sure the bounding-box of the image is correct.
-#align(bottom, right, image("../../res/tiger.jpg", width: 40pt))
+#align(bottom + right, image("../../res/tiger.jpg", width: 40pt))
 
 ---
 // Test all three fit modes.
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/align.typ b/tests/typ/layout/align.typ
index c41e0cb4e..4a50d3dc4 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/align.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/align.typ
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
   align(center, square(size: 20pt, fill: eastern)),
   align(right, square(size: 15pt, fill: eastern)),
 )
-#align(center, horizon, rect(fill: eastern, height: 10pt))
+#align(center + horizon, rect(fill: eastern, height: 10pt))
 #align(bottom, stack(
   align(center, rect(fill: conifer, height: 10pt)),
   rect(fill: forest, height: 10pt),
@@ -19,3 +19,17 @@
 
   Dolor
 ]
+
+---
+// Ref: false
+#test(type(center), "alignment")
+#test(type(horizon), "alignment")
+#test(type(center + horizon), "2d alignment")
+
+---
+// Error: 8-22 cannot add two horizontal alignments
+#align(center + right, [A])
+
+---
+// Error: 8-20 cannot add two vertical alignments
+#align(top + bottom, [A])
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/background.typ b/tests/typ/layout/background.typ
index 81c8c99dc..6303a83b5 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/background.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/background.typ
@@ -13,6 +13,6 @@
     height: 100% + 20pt,
   )
 )
-#align(bottom, right)[
+#align(bottom + right)[
   _Welcome to_ #underline[*Tigerland*]
 ]
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/move.typ b/tests/typ/layout/move.typ
index a7cdf3681..c1f97e159 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/move.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/move.typ
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #let tex = [{
   [T]
   h(-0.14 * size)
-  move(dy: 0.22 * size)[E]
+  move(y: 0.22 * size)[E]
   h(-0.12 * size)
   [X]
 }]
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/page.typ b/tests/typ/layout/page.typ
index 1f707327e..dc6c7c810 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/page.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/page.typ
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
 // Set all margins at once.
 [
   #page(margins: 5pt)
-  #place(top, left)[TL]
-  #place(bottom, right)[BR]
+  #place(top + left)[TL]
+  #place(bottom + right)[BR]
 ]
 
 // Set individual margins.
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ b/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ
index 41431dee9..da56ae2dd 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #page("a8")
-#place(bottom, center)[© Typst]
+#place(bottom + center)[© Typst]
 
 = Placement
 #place(right, image("../../res/tiger.jpg", width: 1.8cm))
diff --git a/tests/typ/text/par.typ b/tests/typ/text/par.typ
index 9955b9939..7b6bd289d 100644
--- a/tests/typ/text/par.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/text/par.typ
@@ -15,3 +15,7 @@ It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
 ---
 // Error: 13-16 must be horizontal
 #par(align: top)
+
+---
+// Error: 13-29 expected alignment, found 2d alignment
+#par(align: horizon + center)