Abnormal syntax Disjointed sentences Loose association Persistent abnormalities in the sentence structure in speech, phrases may not be logically connected to each other, gives the impression of rambling. This may be a characteristic feature of the individual or may be a change from the norm of the affected individual. Loose association is highly correlated with flight of ideas and for which it is the speech-based expression. Typically it is very difficult to follow the logic in the expressed speech. The affected individual's speech is characterized by expressions in speech that have weak (e.g. tangential/circumstantial) connections between ideas.