lose cohesion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose cohesion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where elements that were once connected or unified become disjointed or lack unity. Example: "As the discussion progressed, the group's arguments began to lose cohesion, making it difficult to follow their main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Apart from the privacy issues, a society which increasingly reflects back to citizens – through advertisements, through internet search engines – a corporate view of their needs, opinions and desires will lose cohesion and strength.

Independent

Against the Saracens during the Crusades, for example, it was capable of holding its own provided the knights were kept on a tight rein and did not allow themselves to lose cohesion, become separated from the foot soldiers, or fall into an ambush.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fibre bundles are observed to become thinner and start to lose cohesion.

Heritage Science

Ethnographic interviews suggest that traditional swidden agricultural cycles removed tree roots, causing the loess sediments to lose cohesion, slump, and the terrace risers to retreat uphill over time.

Quaternary Research

The Austro-Hungarians had suffered heavy casualties and the intensity of the fighting caused them to lose cohesion.

Wikipedia

With night approaching and their retreat towards Étoges now barred by enemy cavalry, the Prussian squares began to lose cohesion.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Still, the pacing was so stretched out that the music lost cohesion.

The New York Times - Arts

They lost cohesion and were unable to recover as the dives became progressively more demanding.

The Guardian - Sport

They had bought so much land that prices had risen tenfold in the span of a year, and locals worried about losing cohesion.

The New Yorker

The People's Party soon lost cohesion, and the farmers' cooperatives never achieved the financial independence the organizers had hoped for.

The New York Times

Fine details of articulation were occasionally lost in the headlong surge of the Allegro con spirito; that the ensemble never lost cohesion was a testimony to its marked improvement over the last few seasons.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or groups, use "lose cohesion" to illustrate a weakening of bonds or shared purpose. For physical objects, consider more literal terms like "disintegrate" or "crumble".

Common error

Avoid using "lose cohesion" when describing a simple separation of objects. This phrase is most effective when highlighting the breakdown of a unified entity into disparate parts, not merely the detachment of independent items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose cohesion" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action or process of something becoming less unified or connected. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable in English, with examples showing how different elements, like a team or an argument, can "lose cohesion".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lose cohesion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the process of something becoming less unified or connected. Ludwig AI confirms that "lose cohesion" is correct and usable in English. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and general contexts. Alternatives include "lose unity" and "fall apart". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a breakdown of unity rather than a simple separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose unity

Focuses specifically on the loss of a unified structure or purpose.

lose coherence

Highlights the loss of logical connection and clarity.

become disunited

Emphasizes the separation and lack of agreement among members of a group.

fall apart

Describes a more general breakdown or disintegration, applicable to both physical objects and abstract entities like plans or relationships.

lose solidarity

Specifically refers to the loss of mutual support and agreement within a group.

break down

Similar to "fall apart", but can also refer to a failure in communication or organization.

disintegrate

Implies a complete breakdown into smaller parts, often irreversible.

come unstuck

Suggests that something that was previously joined is now separating.

fragment

Suggests breaking into pieces or segments, losing the original whole.

dissolve

Implies a gradual fading away or disappearance of the bond holding something together.

FAQs

How can I use "lose cohesion" in a sentence?

You can use "lose cohesion" to describe situations where unity or structure breaks down. For example: "The team began to "lose cohesion" after the new policy was implemented."

What are some alternatives to "lose cohesion"?

Alternatives include "lose unity", "fall apart", or "disintegrate", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "loses cohesion" instead of "lose cohesion"?

Yes, "loses cohesion" is correct when referring to a singular subject: "The group loses cohesion when faced with conflict." "Lose cohesion" is used with plural subjects or in the infinitive form.

What is the difference between "lose cohesion" and "lose coherence"?

"Lose cohesion" refers to the breakdown of unity or connection, while "lose coherence" refers to the lack of logical consistency or clarity. A document can "lose coherence" if its arguments become illogical, while a team can "lose cohesion" if members begin to disagree and work separately.