Table of Contents
Cohesion and coherence
What Is the Difference Between Coherence and Cohesion?
Broadly speaking, coherence and cohesion refer to the way a text is organized so that it holds together. In a coherent text, ideas flow meaningfully and logically, often through the use of grammatical and lexical cohesive devices.
The following sections define and provide examples of coherence and cohesion. We will also explore how productive skills involve structuring discourse so that speakers or writers can convey meaningful messages.
What is the difference between coherence and cohesion?

To understand the difference between coherence and cohesion, let’s start by defining each term:
1. What Is Coherence?
Coherence is what makes a text semantically meaningful. In a coherent text, ideas are logically connected to produce meaning. It ensures that the ideas in a discourse are logical and consistent. Coherence is closely related to cohesion, as cohesive elements contribute to the overall coherence of a text.
The linguistic features that make a text coherent are classified under the concept of cohesion.
2. What is cohesion?
According to LEXICO, cohesion literally means::
The action or fact of forming a united whole, as in “The work at present lacks cohesion.”
In physics, cohesion refers to:
The sticking together of particles of the same substance.
In applied linguistics, cohesion refers to the formal and semantic features of a text. In other words, it is the grammatical and lexical linking that holds a text together and gives it meaning. Cohesion is a crucial aspect of the broader concept of coherence.
There are two types of cohesion: lexical and grammatical.
Examples of Lexical and Grammatical cohesion

Here are examples of lexical and grammatical cohesion:
1. Lexical Cohesion
This type of cohesion refers to the meaningful relationships between sentence elements. It involves the repetition of words or the use of synonyms, hyponyms, meronyms, or antonyms. Here are some examples:
- Repetition: “Birds are beautiful. Everybody likes birds.”
- Synonymy: “Paul saw a snake under the mattress. The serpent is going to bite somebody.”
- Hyponymy: “I saw a cat. The animal was very hungry and looked ill.”
- Meronymy: “He stopped the car and changed the tire.”
- Antonymy: “Old movies are boring; the new ones are much better.”
2. Grammatical Cohesion
Grammatical cohesion refers to the grammatical relationships between text elements. Examples include:
- Anaphora: “Jane was brilliant. She got the best score.”
- Cataphora: “Here he comes, our hero. Please welcome John.”
- Ellipsis:
- A: “Where are you going?”
- B: “To dance.”
- Substitution:
- A: “Which T-shirt would you like?”
- B: “I would like the pink one.”
- Conjunctions:
- “We agree on the principle but disagree on the method.”
- “He didn’t come because he’s sick.”
Structuring Discourse
Discourse structure refers to the way a whole text is organized. Teaching productive skills involves training learners to structure their discourse so that it fulfills its communicative purpose. Cohesive devices and discourse markers are essential for organizing written and spoken discourse.
1. Cohesive Devices and Discourse Markers
- Speakers and writers use different devices to structure their discourse. These devices connect what they are saying to what they have said before, as well as to what they are going to say, ensuring their overall message is coherent and cohesive.
These devices can take different forms:
- In spoken discourse, these are called discourse markers, as they indicate the beginning of a new instance of discourse. Examples include: well, oh, so, anyway, etc.
- In written text, cohesive devices create cohesion, helping the text stick together by linking previous ideas with subsequent ones so they flow naturally. Examples include linking words such as because, but, however, nevertheless, moreover, etc.
Summary
1. Key Takeaways
- Coherence ensures that ideas in a text are logical and meaningful, creating a seamless flow of thought.
- Cohesion refers to the grammatical and lexical connections that hold a text together.
- Coherence focuses on the overall structure and logical consistency of the text.
- Cohesion focuses on specific linguistic elements that connect ideas within the text.
- Coherence depends on the reader’s ability to understand the flow, while cohesion relies on visible linguistic markers.
2. Table: Difference Between Coherence and Cohesion
Aspect | Coherence | Cohesion |
---|---|---|
Definition | The logical and meaningful flow of ideas. | The use of grammatical and lexical links to connect ideas. |
Focus | Overall structure and clarity of meaning. | Specific linguistic devices for linking text elements. |
Types | Logical consistency, conceptual flow. | Lexical cohesion, grammatical cohesion. |
Examples | Organizing ideas in a logical sequence. | Repetition, synonyms, conjunctions, and pronouns. |
Reader Dependency | Relies on the reader’s ability to interpret meaning. | Relies on visible text elements to create connections. |
Scope | Broader; encompasses the entire text. | Narrower; focuses on specific connections within the text. |