loose paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loose paragraph" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "loose paragraphs" or "loose paragraphing" depending on the context.
You can use it when discussing the structure or formatting of text that lacks coherence or is not tightly organized. Example: "The essay suffered from loose paragraphs that made it difficult to follow the author's argument."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Language Testing in Asia

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The real source of Evan's writing difficulty was his loose paragraph organization, not his awareness of the construction of the Qi-cheng-zhuan-he method.

Language Testing in Asia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ben Jonson may have dismissed the essay as "a few loose paragraphs and that's all", but its history shows it to have been the most elastic of forms, able to incorporate all sorts of prose – and indeed, in the case of Alexander Pope's Essay on Man, poetry.

The Guardian - Books

Open the Paragraph Designer.

WikiHow

It is also why the A.P.A. has to begin its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders with a loose and baggy four-paragraph definition of mental disorder that is no more satisfying than Jellinek's was.

The New Yorker

Many paragraphs have loose statements and irrelevant information.

Biology Direct

It's useful to write long sentences, loose words, or entire paragraphs, because all can come in handy when you tackle the actual plot.

WikiHow

Tie up any loose ends from the introduction or body paragraphs, but be careful not to outwardly repeat what you've written.

WikiHow

Young challenged each paragraph of the Treasury letter in his report, describing it as "loose analysis" with "inconsistent assumptions".

The Guardian

Just about every loose end appears to have been tied up now, for in the last memo there was hardly anything except a short paragraph that said: It is customary not to wear hats while Convention is in session.

The New Yorker

This paragraph.

The New York Times

Skip to next paragraph Related ArtsBeat: Five Questions for Donna Murphy Original Review: 'Anyone Can Whistle' (April 6 , 1964 [pdf] Enlarge This Image Chad Batka for The New York Times Chad Batka for The New York Times Sutton Foster letting loose with fellow pretender Raúl Esparza.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "loose paragraph", consider specifying what aspect of the paragraph is weak, such as its structure, focus, or development.

Common error

Avoid using "loose paragraph" as a general term for any paragraph that isn't well-written. Instead, identify the specific issue. Is it disorganized? Lacking focus? Poorly supported? Choose a more precise descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loose paragraph" functions as an adjective-noun combination, attempting to describe the quality of a paragraph. However, according to Ludwig, this specific phrasing isn't grammatically sound in standard English. It suggests a paragraph lacking structure or focus.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "loose paragraph" is used to describe a paragraph that lacks structure, focus, or coherence. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered standard written English. While found in diverse sources like news media and scientific articles, its grammatical correctness is questionable. It is better to use alternative phrases such as "poorly structured paragraph" or "disorganized paragraph" to convey your meaning more precisely and correctly. When evaluating or writing, concentrate on identifying specific weaknesses, such as the clarity of the topic sentences or the logical flow of ideas, instead of relying on the more general and potentially incorrect "loose paragraph".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly structured paragraph

Focuses on the deficient organization of the paragraph.

badly organized paragraph

Highlights the lack of arrangement and flow within the paragraph.

incoherent paragraph

Emphasizes the lack of logical connection and clarity.

rambling paragraph

Suggests the paragraph lacks focus and wanders off-topic.

disjointed paragraph

Indicates a lack of smooth transitions and connection between sentences.

unfocused paragraph

Emphasizes the absence of a clear central idea or purpose.

vague paragraph

Highlights the lack of specificity and precision in the paragraph's content.

weakly developed paragraph

Suggests insufficient detail and support for the main idea.

inconclusive paragraph

Implies the paragraph fails to reach a clear resolution or conclusion.

flabby paragraph

Emphasizes the excess of words that do not add to the paragraph and decrease concision.

FAQs

What does it mean when a paragraph is described as "loose"?

Describing a paragraph as "loose" generally means it lacks structure, focus, or coherence. It might contain irrelevant information or lack a clear central idea.

Is it grammatically correct to say "loose paragraph"?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "loose paragraph" is not standard in written English. It's better to use phrases like "poorly structured paragraph" or "disorganized paragraph".

What are some signs of "poorly structured paragraphs"?

Signs include a lack of clear topic sentences, sentences that don't logically connect to each other, and irrelevant details that distract from the main point.

How can I fix a "loose" or "disorganized paragraph"?

Start by identifying the main idea you want to convey. Then, remove any sentences that don't directly support that idea. Finally, ensure that the remaining sentences flow logically from one to the next.