incoherent thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incoherent thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a line of thinking that lacks clarity or logical consistency. Example: "During the debate, his arguments were filled with incoherent thought, making it difficult for the audience to follow his points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Disorganized schizophrenia is characterized by inappropriate emotional responses, delusions or hallucinations, uncontrolled or inappropriate laughter, and by incoherent thought and speech.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the document itself is marred by such sloppy language and incoherent thought that numerous complaints have already appeared in the international press.

The New York Times - Arts

To represent the full richness, speed, and subtlety of the mind at work, the writer incorporates snatches of incoherent thought, ungrammatical constructions, and free association of ideas, images, and words at the pre-speech level.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He grabbed his skateboard and did a few laps around the parking lot, sending skyward a stream of idle and sometimes incoherent thoughts: "If I'm a fuckin' bitch — guess what!

The New Yorker

"Newt's a friend, I love him," Mr. Santorum said at the debate here with a pained expression even as he savaged him as having "grandiose" ideas, "incoherent thoughts" and "no discipline".

The New York Times

RM But if you read all of my hundreds of incoherent thoughts leading up to the final cartoon… I get to just draw the last thought, and that makes it easy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead, the work is a portrait of sorts, with the subject's features replaced by a collage of stitched and pleated elements, evoking incoherent thoughts jostling for prominence but failing to connect.

The New York Times

I had no idea I could simply walk around with a cellphone and videotape my incoherent thoughts.

Huffington Post

One symptom common to most schizophrenics is a loosening in their thought processes; this syndrome manifests itself as disorganized or incoherent thinking, illogical trains of mental association, and unclear or incomprehensible speech.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Church of England has delivered a withering critique of David Cameron's Middle East policy, describing the government's approach as incoherent, ill-thought-out and determined by "the loudest media voice at any particular time".

The Guardian

Indeed there seems nothing incoherent in the thought that individuals have a right not to be protected by society; yet this thought could not make sense on Mill's characterization of what rights are.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's mental state, use "incoherent thought" to convey a lack of logical connection and clarity. Be specific about the context in which the incoherence manifests.

Common error

Avoid attributing "incoherent thought" solely to a single cause (e.g., lack of intelligence). Incoherence can stem from various factors, including stress, mental health conditions, or lack of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incoherent thought" primarily functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct. The phrase typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a state of mind characterized by a lack of logical consistency or clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incoherent thought" is a noun phrase used to describe a lack of logical consistency or clarity in one's thinking. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare, it appears in various contexts, notably in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. To enhance clarity in writing, it's advisable to avoid overgeneralizing the causes of "incoherent thought" and to consider alternative expressions like "disorganized thinking" or "muddled thinking" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disorganized thinking

Focuses on the lack of structure and order in the thought process.

muddled thinking

Emphasizes the confused and unclear nature of the thoughts.

confused reasoning

Highlights the flawed and illogical aspects of the reasoning process.

irrational thinking

Focuses on the lack of reason and logic in the thought process.

unclear thinking

Stresses the lack of clarity and precision in the thoughts.

illogical thought

Highlights the absence of logical connections and coherence.

rambling thoughts

Suggests a disorganized and unfocused train of thought.

disconnected thoughts

Emphasizes the lack of connection and flow between individual thoughts.

garbled thoughts

Suggests that the thoughts are unclear and difficult to understand.

jumbled thoughts

Emphasizes the disordered and confused nature of the thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use "incoherent thought" in a sentence?

You can use "incoherent thought" to describe speech or writing that lacks logical consistency. For example: "The witness's testimony was marked by "incoherent thought", making it difficult to understand the sequence of events."

What's a less formal way to describe "incoherent thought"?

Less formal alternatives include "muddled thinking" or "confused thoughts". Consider the context and audience when choosing the appropriate level of formality.

What is the difference between "incoherent thought" and "disorganized thinking"?

"Incoherent thought" emphasizes the lack of logical connection and clarity, while "disorganized thinking" ("disorganized thinking") focuses on the lack of structure and order in the thought process. The terms are closely related and can sometimes be used interchangeably.

When might someone experience "incoherent thought"?

People may experience "incoherent thought" due to various reasons such as stress, fatigue, mental illness, or substance use. It is often a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a condition itself.