cohere

USAGE SUMMARY

"cohere" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that things are sticking together in a meaningful way. For example, "All of the components of the system cohered nicely once we adjusted the settings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are we talking of global coherence, such that judges should strive to reach judicial decisions which cohere to some extent with the settled law of an entire legal system, or should the coherence we seek be more local in nature, e.g. coherence with particular branches or areas of law?

SEP

The complexity involved is high: to get the French government to accept the Alstom deal, Mr Immelt agreed that, instead of buying three of its divisions outright, it would let the French firm keep stakes in them via joint ventures, a particularly exquisite form of corporate torture.It is hard to know if the latest portfolio will cohere.

The Economist

After an early worry about seeming to be too partisan (another issue unlikely to crop up in, say, the United States) the country crescendoed, like a table of diners singing "happy birthday" in a crowded restaurant.As a result, a generally atomised, sometimes fractious place seemed to cohere.

The Economist

The Tories failure to cohere round a line of opposition adds hugely to Mr Blair's room for manoeuvre.

The Economist

The exiles have yet to cohere enough to pose an organised alternative to Mr Assad's rule, and so help prod international opinion towards helping them to speed its demise.

The Economist

Yet Ms Colley suggests that England, the dominant part of the union numerically and linguistically, is the least well defined, and notions of what it means to be English often divide rather than cohere.

The Economist

Not all the lines of thought that support the book's main thrust are equally convincing, and they do not always cohere neatly.

The Economist

The positive parts of the agenda such as school reform and the devolution of power over policing and other services to voters and employees largely cohere around the theme of decentralisation.

The Economist

OK CUPID, an online dating service in America, has run a lengthy analysis of its members' political attitudes and concluded that Republicans form an effective opposition party because they cohere better, ideologically.

The Economist

If Iraq is to cohere as a single state, the Shias will have to reassure all the country's minorities that they can thrive under the new dispensation.

The Economist

Indeed, how do particles themselves cohere?

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cohere", ensure that the relationship between the elements is not just physical, but also logical or thematic, creating a stronger, more meaningful connection.

Common error

Avoid using "cohere" to describe purely physical sticking; reserve it for situations where there's an underlying logical or intentional unity. For example, instead of saying "The glue made the parts cohere", prefer "The glue made the parts stick together" and only use "cohere" when there's a higher reason for the parts to be together.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cohere" is as an intransitive verb. It describes the action of elements forming a unified, consistent whole, either physically or logically. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, and examples show its application in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "cohere" is grammatically sound and frequently employed, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is particularly useful in formal and scientific contexts to denote the logical and consistent relationship between elements, not just their physical connection. While alternative phrases like "stick together" or "be consistent" exist, "cohere" adds a layer of sophistication and precision. Remembering to use "cohere" when indicating both physical and logical or thematic cohesion will result in more effective and nuanced writing. Its prevalence in academic and news media positions it as a valuable term for expressing unity and agreement in various analytical discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unified

Highlights the condition of oneness and completeness achieved when parts "cohere".

be consistent

This option focuses on logical agreement and lack of contradiction, mirroring the figurative use of "cohere".

be in agreement

Focuses on the shared ideas or opinions that cause people or concepts to "cohere".

make sense together

Emphasizes that the elements are logically linked and comprehensible when combined and "cohere".

stick together

This alternative emphasizes the physical aspect of unity, similar to the literal sense of "cohere".

be integrated

Focuses on the smooth blending of disparate elements, resulting in a "coherent" whole.

be compatible

Suggests that things can coexist without conflict, a component of how elements "cohere".

hold together

This phrase suggests structural integrity and stability, akin to how elements "cohere".

be interconnected

Implies a network of dependencies, where the parts "cohere" through mutual influence.

form a union

Highlights the process of combining to create a whole, similar to things that "cohere".

FAQs

How can I use "cohere" in a sentence?

You can use "cohere" to describe how ideas, beliefs, or arguments form a consistent whole. For instance, "His theories didn't "cohere" with the established scientific principles."

What is a good substitute for "cohere"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "be consistent", "stick together", or "hold together" to express the idea of things forming a unified whole.

What does it mean for a set of beliefs to "cohere"?

When beliefs "cohere", it means they are internally consistent and logically compatible, supporting each other rather than conflicting.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "cohere"?

"Cohere" is most suitable in academic, philosophical, or formal writing where you want to emphasize the logical or meaningful connections between elements, rather than just their physical adhesion.