disjointed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disjointed" is correct and usable in written English.
It means "not joined together in a natural way", and it can be used to describe a speech, a conversation, or even someone's thoughts that are all over the place and seem disconnected. Example sentence: She gave a disjointed speech that made it hard to understand her point.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There isn't just a lack of funding, the funding is disjointed with lots of different streams going to different place for things like academy conversions, kitchens, as well as to the PSBP.

The Guardian

Overall, the underlying feeling coming out of Australia's farewell match is that the performance was disjointed and the Socceroos gave the ball away too cheaply and too frequently.

The Guardian - Sport

However, her disjointed 33-minute speech – in which she described President Barack Obama as an "overgrown little boy who is acting kinda spoiled", and declared "the man can only ride you when your back is bent" – received poor reviews even from some conservatives.

The Guardian

Australia should have extended their lead to 10 points six minutes after the restart, but Quade Cooper hooked a penalty after an incident that, at the time, summed up what had been a wayward, disjointed and often incoherent display by England.

The Guardian - Sport

The bleakness of "Boule de Suif" is typical of Maupassant, who considered life "brutal, incoherent, disjointed, full of inexplicable, illogical and contradictory disasters".

The Guardian - Books

As a result, IS knew how to play the game of tribal alliances; brought order of sorts through effective, if brutal, methods; and developed a war economy based on oil-smuggling networks.The pity is that Messrs Weiss and Hassan have produced such a messy, disjointed account.

The Economist

All too often, though, it makes for an irritatingly disjointed read.One might suppose that prolonged seclusion at Camp David allowed the rivals to build trust.

The Economist

Canoes hit the roofs of buildings as they evacuated residents; higher ground became disjointed islands in a lake studded with tree-tops.

The Economist

But even such projects for the homeless as do exist are disjointed and therefore inefficient, says Alair Molina, of FIPE: the various departments of the council fail to co-ordinate with each other or with the various charities.

The Economist

If the plot is disjointed, its progress is smooth, like a rough road on good shock-absorbers, or haphazard events bleared by a missed night's sleep and seen through the pleasant fog of exhaustion".The Name of the World" is a triumph of tone.

The Economist

Formerly a light-infantry force based in Hong Kong, the regiment was disjointed from the rest of the army.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disjointed" to describe writing or speech, ensure that you can identify the specific areas where coherence is lacking. This will make your critique more actionable.

Common error

Avoid using "disjointed" as a general term for anything negative. It specifically refers to a lack of connection or coherence, so ensure it fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "disjointed" primarily functions to describe something lacking coherence or logical connection. It characterizes entities such as speeches, narratives, or systems that are not well-connected or unified, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disjointed" is a versatile adjective used to describe something lacking coherence or logical connection. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequency is high, particularly in news and media sources, as well as scientific publications. While suitable for various contexts, it is crucial to use "disjointed" precisely, ensuring it appropriately reflects the lack of connection you intend to convey. Related terms include "fragmented", "incoherent", and "disconnected", each offering a slightly different nuance. By understanding its function and potential misapplications, you can wield "disjointed" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disconnected

Emphasizes a lack of connection or logical sequence.

fragmented

Focuses on the state of being broken into pieces or parts.

incoherent

Highlights a lack of clarity or logical connection, especially in speech or writing.

unconnected

Similar to disconnected, but can also imply a physical separation.

uncoordinated

Suggests a lack of harmonious action or organization.

illogical

Indicates a lack of logical reasoning or sense.

disorganized

Highlights a lack of structure or systematic arrangement.

scattered

Implies a lack of focus or a distribution without order.

garbled

Refers to something distorted or confused, often in communication.

confused

Implies a lack of clarity or understanding.

FAQs

How is "disjointed" used in a sentence?

You can use "disjointed" to describe something that lacks coherence or connection, such as "The presentation felt "disjointed" due to the speaker's rambling style".

What are some alternatives to the word "disjointed"?

Consider using alternatives like "fragmented", "incoherent", or "disconnected" to describe something that lacks a clear connection or flow.

What does it mean when someone says a narrative is "disjointed"?

A "disjointed" narrative means the story lacks a smooth, logical progression. It may jump between scenes or ideas without clear transitions, making it difficult to follow.

Is "disjointed" a formal or informal word?

"Disjointed" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.