incongruity

USAGE SUMMARY

'incongruity' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe something that is inconsistent or incompatible with something else, and is usually used in the phrase "an incongruity between X and Y". For example: "There was an incongruity between the two versions of the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It must deny response-independent accounts of these values, such as the incongruity theory of humor, on which the funny is analyzed as the incongruous.

SEP

The group's founder, Igor Kalyapin, explained the incongruity of the state's accusation to Russian media: "By the prosecutors' logic, it turns out that state policy is torture in police departments and the covering up of torture by investigative bodies," he said.

The Guardian

Lee is, of course, fully aware of this incongruity and it has become fundamental to his live act and his BBC2 series Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, where these polemics will eventually appear.

The Guardian

For some time now, we've felt a growing sense of unease over the incongruity of owning a boat we're unable to sail.

The Guardian - Travel

Trainwreck, which is set for a July release, was written by the stand-up and will star Schumer alongside a cast that includes (in order of incongruity) Bill Hader, Tilda Swinton, Daniel Radcliffe, Barkhad Abdi and Method Man.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Minibus drivers shouted for passengers and men rolled kebabs in front of a sandbagged rebel headquarters.The incongruity of such scenes makes Aleppo a surreal place.

The Economist

Pope Francis, who has chosen simplicity and modesty as his message, makes the incongruity even starker.

The Economist

But that incongruity is a small price to pay.

The Economist

A mix of pressures home-grown terrorism, criticism from abroad, and the general restlessness of their mostly youthful subjects—apressures home-grownened Saudi princes terrorismcriticism ofromnning abroade, modern stand like a family ranch.

The Economist

There is huge incongruity between the sophistication of so many American Jews in so many disciplines and their ignorance of Judaism.

The Economist

Urban_Achiever, it was the incongruity I was trying to get at there, and apologies if it didn't carry.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incongruity" to precisely describe a situation where elements are inconsistent or out of place. It's particularly effective when analyzing humor, social situations, or logical arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "incongruity" when you actually mean "irony". While both involve a discrepancy, irony often implies a deliberate or humorous contradiction, whereas incongruity simply points to a mismatch or inconsistency.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incongruity" is as a noun. It typically refers to a state or instance of being incongruous, meaning something is out of place, inconsistent, or not in harmony. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incongruity" is a noun that denotes a state of inconsistency or disharmony. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "discrepancy" and "mismatch" exist, "incongruity" maintains a distinct nuance, often suggesting a more fundamental or striking lack of alignment. Be mindful not to confuse it with "irony", which implies a deliberate contradiction. The word serves to precisely describe scenarios where elements are out of sync, making it a valuable asset in analytical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discrepancy

Focuses on a difference or inconsistency between two things.

inconsistency

Highlights a lack of uniformity or logical coherence.

mismatch

Emphasizes a failure to correspond or fit together properly.

disparity

Indicates a noticeable and often unfair difference.

incompatibility

Highlights the inability of two things to exist or work together harmoniously.

contradiction

Highlights a direct opposition between two statements or beliefs.

discordance

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or harmony.

anomaly

Refers to something that deviates from the norm or expectation.

divergence

Focuses on the act of moving in different directions from a common point.

variance

Indicates a degree of difference or deviation.

FAQs

How to use "incongruity" in a sentence?

You can use "incongruity" to describe a mismatch or inconsistency between different elements. For example, "The "incongruity" between his words and actions was striking."

What can I say instead of "incongruity"?

You can use alternatives like "discrepancy", "inconsistency", or "mismatch", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "incongruity" or "incongruence"?

"Incongruity" and "incongruence" are often used interchangeably, but "incongruity" is the more common and widely accepted term. Both refer to the state of being incongruous.

What's the difference between "incongruity" and "irony"?

"Incongruity" refers to a general state of being inconsistent or out of place, while "irony" typically involves a deliberate or humorous contradiction between what is said and what is actually meant.