self-consistent
LowFormal, Academic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
Having all parts or elements logically harmonious and free from contradiction.
Applied to systems, theories, arguments, or narratives that maintain internal logical coherence without conflicting assertions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in evaluative contexts to assess the logical integrity of abstract constructs like theories, models, or narratives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both varieties use it identically.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in academic/philosophical writing in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be self-consistentremain self-consistentappear self-consistentprove self-consistentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, might be used in strategic planning discussions: 'The financial projections must be self-consistent.'
Academic
Common in philosophy, logic, physics, and literary analysis: 'A scientific theory must be self-consistent to be viable.'
Everyday
Very rare; simpler synonyms like 'makes sense' or 'holds together' are preferred.
Technical
Common in mathematics, computer science (e.g., databases), and systems engineering to describe non-contradictory states.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The narrative fails to self-consist across its chapters.
American English
- The model parameters must self-consist to produce valid results.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The story was simple but self-consistent.
- A good legal argument must be logically self-consistent to persuade the judge.
- The physicist argued that the multiverse theory, while speculative, is mathematically self-consistent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think SELF-CHECK: a self-consistent argument CHECKS itself for internal conflicts.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WELL-WOVEN FABRIC (all threads align without snags or breaks).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'последовательный' (consistent over time). Focus on 'непротиворечивый' or 'логически последовательный' (internally).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'consistent' (over time).
- Using it to describe people ('He is very self-consistent.') instead of systems or arguments.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'self-consistent' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Consistent' often means 'unchanging over time' or 'in agreement with something else.' 'Self-consistent' specifically means 'not having internal contradictions.'
It is highly unusual and stylistically marked. Typically, it describes abstract systems, arguments, stories, or data sets.
Formal logic and the philosophy of science, where the internal consistency of a system of propositions is paramount.
Yes, 'self-consistency' is the noun form, meaning the quality of being self-consistent.