incongruous with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incongruous with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to describe something that is not compatible or appropriate in relation to something else. For example, "The school's dress code was incongruous with the student's individual sense of style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His small tears are incongruous with his very big muscles.

The New Yorker

Asturias is incongruous with much of the rest of Spain.

The New York Times - Travel

Today the valley-upland model is notably incongruous with expanding needs for landscape connectivity and sustainability.

Landscape and Urban Planning

In Istanbul, though, the coup was completely incongruous with the day that preceded it.

Princeton University

For this to be the primary market for Taiwan's bamboo seems quite incongruous with its past.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These estimates might seem to be incongruous with national polls that show a nearly tied race.

The New York Times

The group's existence seems incongruous with the increasingly repressive legislative climate for gays here.

The New York Times

Last statements seem incongruous with a modern execution process that prizes predictability and efficiency.

The New York Times

He warned that unending preparations for war were incongruous with the nation's history.

The New York Times

It is the creed of a Platonist, though nowhere glaringly incongruous with Christian faith.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It looked regal but was incongruous with the dark-locked boy she'd known.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incongruous with", ensure that the two elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "His behavior was incongruous", specify "His behavior was incongruous with the company's ethical guidelines".

Common error

Avoid using "incongruous with" when a stronger term like "contradicts" or "opposes" is more appropriate. "Incongruous" suggests a lack of harmony, not necessarily direct opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incongruous with" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something that is out of place, inconsistent, or not in harmony with something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incongruous with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of harmony or consistency between two elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it effectively highlights discrepancies. When employing the phrase, clarify the compared elements to avoid ambiguity, and consider stronger alternatives like "contradicts" if direct opposition is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistent with

Focuses on a contradiction or lack of uniformity.

incompatible with

Highlights the impossibility of existing together harmoniously.

contrary to

Emphasizes a direct opposition or contrast.

at odds with

Emphasizes a direct conflict or opposition.

irreconcilable with

Stresses that two things cannot be made compatible.

discordant with

Stresses a lack of agreement or harmony, particularly in sound or ideas.

not in keeping with

Suggests a violation of established norms or expectations.

out of sync with

Suggests a misalignment or lack of coordination.

mismatched with

Highlights a poor or unsuitable pairing.

unsuited to

Highlights an inappropriate or unsuitable match.

FAQs

How can I use "incongruous with" in a sentence?

Use "incongruous with" to describe something that seems out of place or doesn't fit well with something else. For example: "The modern design is "incongruous with" the historic neighborhood".

What can I say instead of "incongruous with"?

You can use alternatives like "inconsistent with", "at odds with", or "incompatible with" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "incongruous with" or "incongruent with"?

While both terms convey a lack of harmony, "incongruous with" is more commonly used. "Incongruent" is technically correct, but less frequent.

What's the difference between "incongruous with" and "incompatible with"?

"Incongruous with" suggests something is out of place or doesn't quite fit, while "incompatible with" implies a fundamental inability to coexist or function together.