Meaning & use
coherently
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a way where ideas follow logically and are easy to understand.
Grammar: Often follows verbs like speak, write or argue: she argued coherently.
Patterns
- speak coherently
- argue coherently
- write coherently
The witness described the accident coherently, step by step.
He wrote coherently about a very complicated subject.
Can you explain the plan coherently before we vote?
adverbnot comparable
In a clear-headed way, without sounding confused or muddled, usually after shock or illness.
Grammar: Often used negatively: he could not think coherently.
Patterns
- think coherently
- unable to speak coherently
After the fall, she could barely talk coherently.
I'm too tired to think coherently about this tonight.
The patient was awake and answering questions coherently.
Common combinations
- speak coherently
- The child spoke coherently for the first time after surgery.
- think coherently
- I can't think coherently before my first coffee.
- argue coherently
- The lawyer argued coherently from beginning to end.
- express oneself coherently
- She expressed herself coherently despite her nerves.
- present coherently
- The report presents the findings coherently.
Synonyms and how they differ
- logically
- Logically emphasizes sound reasoning, while coherently emphasizes that all the parts hang together clearly.
- clearly
- Clearly is broader and may refer to sound or sight, whereas coherently refers specifically to well-connected ideas.
- lucidly
- Lucidly adds a sense of easy, transparent explanation, while coherently simply means well organized.
- intelligibly
- Intelligibly only requires that the words can be understood, which is a lower standard than coherently.
Opposites
Word family
- coherent adjective
- logical, clear and well connected
- coherence noun
- the quality of being logical and consistent
- incoherent adjective
- confused and hard to follow
- cohere verb
- to hold together as a whole
Commonly confused: coherently or cohesively?
coherently vs cohesively
Cohesively means in a united, tightly joined way, while coherently focuses on clear logic that others can follow.
Practice
Though still shaken by the news, Omar managed to explain what happened ___.
Choose one answer.
Coherently means in a clear, logical way, which fits managing to explain despite being shaken. Incoherently would contradict the word managed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “coherently”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.