incoherent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'incoherent' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not clear or logical, or is characterized by a lack of connection between ideas. Example: The professor was unable to understand the student’s incoherent argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's incoherent, it's a bit anarchic, it breaches our international legal obligations.

The Guardian

"I put in the Inherent Vice screener, and it became apparent that it's a terrible, incoherent movie, so I turned it off.

The Guardian - Film

That promise was made in a policy paper that was regarded as legally incoherent — and not just by the former attorney general Dominic Grieve.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the equivalent of someone taking his seminar class improvisations from all those mornings when professors called on him after he didn't do the reading, then converting them to one massive, incoherent year-end term paper for all his classes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prime minister attacked Michael Howard's party for their "incoherent" proposals on the issue as he addressed the issues of asylum and immigration.

The Guardian

Clegg regarded the 2005 manifesto as incoherent, statist, pro-producer and unchallenging.

The Guardian

To opt out of it and then to opt back into it is incoherent in itself.

The Guardian

Does he blame Miliband for the failure to be bolder, for the minimalist, incoherent eventual offer?

The Guardian

Darling was comprehensively outboxed, appearing wooden and incoherent.

The Guardian

Faced by a more combative, vocal audience, Darling was comprehensively outboxed, appearing wooden and incoherent.

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incoherent", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is lacking coherence. Be specific about the elements that are not logically connected or understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "incoherent" as a general term of disapproval. Instead, describe how something lacks coherence by identifying the specific logical fallacies, inconsistencies, or missing connections.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "incoherent" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating a lack of logical connection, clarity, or consistency. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something that is not clear or logical, or is characterized by a lack of connection between ideas. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing arguments, movies, and policies as "incoherent".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "incoherent" is a versatile term used to describe something lacking logical connection, clarity, or consistency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also finds use in formal and scientific contexts. When using "incoherent", it's essential to be specific about what lacks coherence. Related terms include "unintelligible", "rambling", and "disjointed". Avoid using "incoherent" as a general criticism without providing details about the specific deficiencies. The varied examples provided by Ludwig showcase its broad applicability, and its authoritative sources underscore its validity in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintelligible

Focuses on the inability to understand something due to its lack of clarity.

rambling

Emphasizes the disjointed and unfocused nature of speech or writing.

disjointed

Highlights the lack of connection between different parts or elements.

disconnected

Similar to disjointed, but may also suggest a lack of emotional connection.

muddled

Suggests a state of confusion and lack of clarity.

garbled

Implies that information is distorted and difficult to understand.

unfocused

Highlights the lack of a clear and central theme or purpose.

nonsensical

Emphasizes the lack of meaning or logical sense.

irrational

Points to a lack of logical reasoning or justification.

contradictory

Indicates the presence of conflicting elements or ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "incoherent" in a sentence?

Use "incoherent" to describe something lacking logical connection or clarity. For example, "The witness's testimony was "incoherent" due to her emotional distress."

What can I say instead of "incoherent"?

You can use alternatives like "unintelligible", "rambling", or "disjointed", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "incoherent argument" or "noncoherent argument"?

"Incoherent argument" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Noncoherent" is less frequent and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "incoherent" and "confused"?

"Incoherent" describes something lacking logical consistency or clarity, while "confused" describes a state of mental bewilderment or lack of understanding. A person can be confused, while a speech or argument can be "incoherent".