incoherently

USAGE SUMMARY

"incoherently" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb derived from the adjective "incoherent," which means lacking logical or meaningful connection or consistency. You can use "incoherently" when describing speech or writing that is unclear, disorganized, or without logical structure. It can also refer to someone's thoughts or actions that are confusing or nonsensical. Example: She rambled incoherently, jumping from one topic to another without making any sense. Here, "incoherently" is used to describe the way the person is speaking, suggesting that their words are not connected and lack a clear point or purpose.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If he had been serious, the president would have realized that those three are each directly responsible for the disaster of Iraq.Mr Adelman is sticking to his guns, but the other neocons quoted in the piece have already begun to backtrack, somewhat incoherently, over at National Review online.

The Economist

He apologised for his mulish handling of the issue by mumbling, somewhat incoherently: "Maybe I felt too strongly about getting all the wrong priorities out of the way so we can focus on the right things at once".In this section Still sick and gloomy, now rebellious Facing the voters End of the road for the Taliban?

The Economist

Having started out as nothing more than a search engine, Google's ever-greater ambitions augmented by a range of new initiatives unveiled at its annual media day this week now make it seem both creepy and incoherently sprawling (see article).

The Economist

"Yes he is a great leader, he provides for his people here in this country and thank God the people here love the marshal," Mr Rodman somewhat incoherently told the crowd, which included Mr Kim, his wife Ri Sol Ju, a rare appearance for his brother, Kim Jong Chol, and plenty of senior officials.

The Economist

He maintained his innocence before a wide audience, and so incoherently that his lawyers may find it easier to argue that the words on the wiretaps are those of a blabbermouth, not a criminal.The trial is sure to be entertaining.

The Economist

Because its dogmatic elements of sociability are constructed, and will vary across countries, it stands to reason that they could be devised poorly or incoherently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grown men screamed incoherently as they pawed at Stack, a journeyman who had flung himself to his right to beat away Joel Grant's penalty.

Independent

One of Dieudonné's five convictions for inciting hatred of Jews was based on the words of this song, which incoherently mingle the holocaust, sexuality and obscenity.

Independent

He played this role like a headmaster to the unruly (or in this case, drunk) pupils, having to plough on as one chap (yes, a red face/trouser type) twice stood to heckle incoherently.

Independent

It may come of no surprise to those who have seen video footage of Rob Ford rambling incoherently in a faux Jamaican accent at a fast food restaurant that he had, in fact, been drinking (scroll down to watch if you haven't already).

Independent

At the far end of the limo there is Berbick, bewildered and still babbling incoherently; old Trev is unaware that coming at him from five feet off the ground is 17 stone of a flying Holmes in fury.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incoherently", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking coherence. For example, specify whether it's speech, writing, thoughts, or actions that are incoherent.

Common error

Avoid using "incoherently" to describe something that is merely complex or unfamiliar. Incoherence implies a complete lack of logical connection, not just a difficulty in understanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incoherently" is to modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. It functions as an adverb of manner, describing how something is done, said, or thought. As Ludwig AI states, it describes speech/writing that is unclear or disorganized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "incoherently" is a versatile term for expressing a lack of clear or logical communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's derived from "incoherent", signifying a lack of organized thought or expression. With a neutral to formal register, "incoherently" frequently appears in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific writing, indicating its broad applicability in describing confused speech, rambling thoughts, or disorganized actions. Using related terms like ""unintelligibly"" or ""ramblingly"" can further refine your intended meaning. Remember to use "incoherently" when there's a genuine lack of coherence, rather than simple complexity, to avoid misinterpretation. "Incoherently" is therefore a valuable tool for precision in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintelligibly

Focuses specifically on the inability to understand the communication.

Ramblingly

Suggests a disorganized and lengthy manner of speaking or writing.

Confusedly

Highlights the speaker's or writer's state of mental disarray.

Muddledly

Emphasizes a lack of clarity and order in thought or expression.

Disjointedly

Indicates a lack of connection between the parts of a communication.

Inarticulately

Focuses on the inability to express oneself clearly and effectively.

Garbledly

Suggests a distorted and unclear form of communication.

Vaguely

Highlights a lack of precision and detail in communication.

Erratic speech

Uses a noun phrase to describe speaking in an unpredictable and irregular manner.

Without clear reasoning

Emphasizes the absence of logical thought behind the communication.

FAQs

How can I use "incoherently" in a sentence?

"Incoherently" describes actions or speech lacking logical connection. For example, "He mumbled "incoherently" after the accident" indicates his speech was not understandable.

What are some synonyms for "incoherently"?

Alternatives to "incoherently" include "unintelligibly", "ramblingly", or "confusedly", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "speaking incoherently" or "incoherent speech"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "speaking "incoherently"" emphasizes the act of speaking, while "incoherent speech" focuses on the quality of the speech itself. The best choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "incoherently" and "unclearly"?

"Unclearly" suggests a lack of clarity or precision, while ""incoherently"" implies a complete lack of logical connection or organization. Something can be unclear but still have some underlying logic, whereas something incoherent lacks any discernible sense.