coherent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coherent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is logical, consistent, and easy to understand, often in the context of writing or speech. Example: "Her argument was clear and coherent, making it easy for the audience to follow her points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's easily the most confident and coherent of this batch of pilots and, crucially, is killing it in customer response: it currently has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We can only achieve that journey up a stairwell with the strongest and most coherent narrative imaginable and we lost that pretty soon after the budget last year," he said.

The Guardian

There is a powerful, coherent critique of it and an alternative to it.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "This was trumpeted as the biggest survey of its kind into the balance of power between the UK and Brussels but, for whatever reason, [ministers] decided not to present a coherent overall view of the work".

The Guardian

I have yet to hear a coherent narrative of precisely how the eggs are to be unscrambled.

The Guardian - Opinion

'It makes it easier for me to live my life as an actor if I can speak in a coherent way about the stuff that I choose to do.

The Guardian - Film

NGOs should act as a haven for the principles they promote, regardless of where their field offices are based, in order to be coherent with their values and mission.

The Guardian

But the fact remains England – and more to the point Australia's brilliantly coherent bowling attack – deserve a little more.

The Guardian - Sport

With economic decay, war, persecution and unemployment gripping at least a dozen countries on Europe's southern rim, the surge of migration north has overwhelmed authorities in Europe, which has struggled to articulate a single coherent policy and, say critics, played into the hands of unscrupulous people traffickers.

The Guardian

He said it might have been better if changes had been introduced in a more "coherent" and "coordinated" way, saying schools had been put through "a prolonged period of turbulence and uncertainty".

The Guardian

Not a bad set of priorities for the next election manifesto, though the specific measures he mentioned, from freezing energy bills to votes for 16-year-olds seemed to be a hotchpotch of ideas rather than a coherent new way to run the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coherent" to describe arguments, plans, or systems that are easy to understand and follow due to their logical structure.

Common error

Avoid using "coherent" to merely indicate agreement or alignment between separate entities. It's better suited for describing the internal consistency of a single entity, such as a theory or a narrative, rather than external alignment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coherent" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their quality of being logically connected and consistent. Ludwig AI shows its extensive usage across varied textual contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coherent" is a commonly used adjective to describe something that is logical, consistent, and easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct with usage supported by numerous examples from reliable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. Its function is to add structure and logic to a narrative or idea. When writing, it's best to use "coherent" to describe internally consistent arguments or systems, and avoid using it merely to show agreement. Considering alternatives like "logical" or "consistent" can enhance precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

logical

Focuses specifically on the rational and reasoned aspect.

consistent

Emphasizes the absence of contradictions and adherence to a set of principles.

understandable

Highlights the ease with which something can be grasped or comprehended.

well-reasoned

Implies a thoughtful and carefully constructed argument or explanation.

orderly

Stresses the structured and systematic nature of something.

systematic

Indicates a methodical and planned approach.

unified

Focuses on the quality of forming a single, harmonious whole.

integrated

Suggests that different parts are combined effectively.

articulate

Implies the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively.

lucid

Emphasizes clarity and ease of understanding, especially in writing or speech.

FAQs

How can I use "coherent" in a sentence?

You can use "coherent" to describe something that is logical, consistent, and makes sense, for example, "The presentation offered a "coherent" explanation of the complex issue".

What is a synonym for "coherent"?

Alternatives to "coherent" include "logical", "consistent", and "understandable", each emphasizing different aspects of clarity and structure.

What's the difference between "coherent" and "cohesive"?

"Coherent" refers to the logical and consistent arrangement of ideas, while "cohesive" refers to the way elements stick together. A "coherent" argument has a logical flow; a cohesive team works well together.

When is it appropriate to use "coherent" instead of "clear"?

While both terms relate to understanding, "coherent" is best when emphasizing the logical structure and consistency of something, whereas "clear" simply means easy to perceive or understand.