a communication error

USAGE SUMMARY

"a communication error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an instance of miscommunication between two or more people or systems. For example: "When the two teams failed to coordinate their plans, a communication error was to blame for the delay in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It says there was a communication error," Clem said.

The New York Times

Second, a device may become unreachable due to a hardware failure or a communication error.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Hence if an action cannot be performed on the actual system (e.g., due to a communication error), the controller state is not updated.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

In our approach, when performing an action, the fact that the actuator is faulty or unreachable due to a communication error is detected.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

For instance, sending the command close to a door and assuming that it is closed becomes an inconsistency if the door remains opened due to a communication error or a failure.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Finally, if the lamp cannot be switched on (e.g., due to a communication error), the second transaction will send a SMS to the maintenance team to inform them of the problem.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Note: when I tried using the service this evening, I kept getting a fatal communication error; hopefully this will get fixed soon.

TechCrunch

Initially, Netlog was told that they were violating a brand new item in Facebook's Platform policy that was quietly added about two weeks ago – and stipulates that Facebook apps can't link, promote, integrate or redirect to any apps on any competing social platform – but that appears to have been a painful communication error on Facebook's part.

TechCrunch

The second transaction sends a SMS to the maintenance if a command cannot be sent (e.g., communication error, actuator failure).

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The aviation, nuclear power generation, military, and space exploration industries have shown a reduction in communication errors through a standardized approach to transfer of responsibility and the use of handover tools [ 25- 27].

BMC Medical Education

In a real application, this error can be large when one considers the communication error of the IEDs and the data conversion error.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing reasons for project delays or system malfunctions, use "a communication error" to clearly indicate a problem in conveying information between parties or components.

Common error

Avoid replacing "a communication error" with excessively technical terms that might confuse your audience. Clarity is key when discussing problems in communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a communication error" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a specific instance where the intended message was not successfully conveyed or received. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a communication error" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a failure in the process of conveying information. As Ludwig AI points out, it's correct and usable in written English. It appears most commonly in scientific, news, and business contexts. Related phrases include "a miscommunication" and "a breakdown in communication". When using this phrase, prioritize clarity and avoid replacing it with overly technical terms. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "a communication error" to describe and analyze communication failures in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an error in communication

This alternative uses 'an' instead of 'a', without altering the meaning.

a miscommunication

This alternative is a more concise and direct synonym, emphasizing the failure in communication.

a communicative mistake

This phrase replaces "error" with "mistake", offering a slightly less formal tone.

a breakdown in communication

This alternative highlights the process of communication falling apart.

a lapse in communication

This alternative suggests a temporary or brief failure in the communication process.

a failure to communicate

This option focuses on the complete inability to convey information effectively.

a misunderstanding

This emphasizes a failure to correctly understand information.

a gap in communication

This alternative suggests missing elements or breaks in the communicative process.

a deficiency in communication

This alternative highlights that something is lacking in the communication.

a flawed communication

This option describes the communication process as having imperfections.

FAQs

How can I use "a communication error" in a sentence?

You can use "a communication error" to describe instances where information was not correctly conveyed or understood. For example, "The project delay was due to "a communication error" between the development teams."

What's the difference between "a communication error" and "a misunderstanding"?

"A communication error" refers to a failure in the process of conveying information, while "a misunderstanding" implies that the information was received but interpreted incorrectly.

What can I say instead of "a communication error"?

You can use alternatives like "a miscommunication", "a breakdown in communication", or "a failure to communicate depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a communication error" in formal writing?

Yes, "a communication error" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a problem in communication.