coda

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'coda' is correct and usable in written English.
It originated from the Latin word 'cauda', meaning tail, and is commonly used in music to refer to the concluding part of a piece. Example: The coda of the symphony brought the audience to their feet in a standing ovation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Davies brothers' latest disagreement is an unfortunate coda to a summer in which they seemed primed to reconcile.

The Guardian - Music

Staggeringly, it seems that few in Carlton's senior management team heeded any lessons from Malthouse's ugly departure at Collingwood, apparently bumbling their way along under the misguided assumption that the league's most abrasive and opinionated media performer would just silently endure this undignified coda to his record-breaking career.

The Guardian - Sport

"And this gentleman would like to buy the other half!" Several readers have emailed to say there is a coda.

The Guardian

Alone in the graveyard, the feckless groupie cleared his throat for the inevitable what-a-bastard coda.

The Guardian

And this is the coda.

The Guardian

As Ms Kavanagh shows, Nureyev hit every contemporary button: communist repression v Western freedom, swinging London, the cult of youth, celebrity, fashion, sex (straight and gay) and finally, in a horrible coda, AIDS.

The Economist

The grim tale now turns out to have a horrible coda.

The Economist

Optimists hope that Mr Putin will prove to be merely a temporary coda to totalitarianism.

The Economist

But his coda is too brief to delve deeper.As to events, terror and Iraq have darkened Mr Cooper's vision.

The Economist

But this is a familiar refrain, as is the unhappy coda when help is requested after all.

The Economist

"President Obama's victory on health care legislation has emboldened those who want an even bigger and more intrusive federal government".This is the logical coda to Ms Hutchison's badly managed and ill-fated gubernatorial run; although she had repeatedly pledged to resign after the primary earlier this month, regardless of its outcome, there was nothing binding about the commitment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "coda", consider its musical origin to add a sense of finality and resolution to your writing. It's particularly effective when referring to the concluding section of an event, period, or creative work.

Common error

Avoid using "coda" as a synonym for any general ending. It should specifically refer to a concluding section that provides a sense of closure, often with elements that echo earlier themes or motifs.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coda" is as a noun. It typically refers to the concluding section of a piece of music, literature, or event, serving to provide a sense of completion or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "coda" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, as validated by Ludwig. Originating from music, it now commonly denotes the concluding part of something, bringing a sense of finality. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When using "coda", remember its origin and employ it when you want to emphasize the concluding nature of an event or piece, avoiding its use as a generic term for any ending. Ludwig’s examples showcase the phrase's versatility and acceptance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finale

This term specifically denotes the concluding part of a musical composition or a performance.

conclusion

This refers to the ending or final part of a process, argument, or piece of writing.

epilogue

This term describes a concluding section or speech at the end of a book, play, or film.

aftermath

Refers to the consequences or repercussions of a significant event.

denouement

This term indicates the final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and resolved.

culmination

Represents the highest or climactic point of something, often implying a conclusion.

swan song

This idiom refers to a final performance or accomplishment before retirement or death.

final chapter

Indicates the last part of a story, period, or phase.

end result

Denotes the final outcome or consequence of a process or action.

wrap-up

An informal term referring to the conclusion or summary of an event or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "coda" in a sentence?

You can use "coda" to refer to the concluding section of something, such as "The peace talks ended with a surprising "coda" of renewed cooperation".

What can I say instead of "coda"?

You can use alternatives like "finale", "conclusion", or "epilogue" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "coda" or "ending"?

"Coda" is more specific, referring to a concluding section that often summarizes or reflects on previous material. "Ending" is a more general term. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "coda" and "aftermath"?

"Coda" refers to a concluding section that provides closure, while "aftermath" describes the consequences or repercussions that follow a significant event.