being incommunicado

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being incommunicado" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to be unable or forbidden to communicate with others, typically due to being isolated or confined. Example: The prisoner was placed in solitary confinement, effectively being incommunicado for weeks on end. Another example: During the retreat, participants are required to surrender their phones and be incommunicado, allowing them to fully focus on their inner thoughts and feelings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cellphones users may not have liked being incommunicado, but BART officials told the SF Appeal, an online paper, that it was well within its rights.

The New York Times

I'm guessing some men are either too selfish to care and some are just too cowardly, but what concerns me more is that decent men are starting to think that being incommunicado is perfectly acceptable behavior.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now he is incommunicado.

The New York Times - Sports

He was incommunicado for a year.

The New Yorker

Then Friday morning through Monday afternoon I am incommunicado.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He took off for parts unknown and is incommunicado," his spokesman said.

The New York Times

The first two days, he was incommunicado, lost beneath a breathing apparatus when he was not in surgery.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bo, who has been incommunicado since his detention in March, is expected to stand trial in the coming months.

The New York Times

When it happened, of course, they were incommunicado; some learned about it only when they were released in January 1981.

The New York Times

In recent months both men have been incommunicado, he said, effectively hobbling the work of the company's defense lawyers.

The New York Times

The family is living the nightmare that is incommunicado arbitrary detention: prohibited by the common law since the 13th century.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being incommunicado" when you want to emphasize a state of complete isolation from communication, often implying a forced or deliberate separation.

Common error

Avoid using "being incommunicado" in very casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly formal tone and is best suited for news reports, formal writing, or situations where the lack of communication is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being incommunicado" functions as an adjectival phrase, describing a state of inability to communicate. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the state of prisoners, politicians under investigation, or individuals in isolated situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being incommunicado" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase that effectively conveys a state of complete communication cutoff. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is accurate and applicable in written English, carrying a slightly formal tone and predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. Related phrases such as "being uncontactable" or "being isolated" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using "being incommunicado", remember its formal nature and leverage it to emphasize the severity of the communication breakdown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being held incommunicado

This alternative is mostly used when people are held against their will by some authority.

being uncontactable

Focuses specifically on the inability to be reached, often due to technical reasons.

being unreachable

Similar to uncontactable, but can also imply a deliberate effort to avoid contact.

being isolated

Highlights the state of being physically or socially separated from others.

being cut off

Emphasizes a sudden or forceful disconnection from communication.

being unavailable

Simply states that one is not accessible or free to communicate.

being sequestered

Implies a formal or enforced isolation, often for a specific purpose.

being out of touch

Suggests a lack of awareness or connection with current events or people.

being silenced

Indicates that someone is being prevented from speaking or communicating their views.

being secluded

Suggests a voluntary withdrawal from society or contact with others.

FAQs

How can I use "being incommunicado" in a sentence?

You can use "being incommunicado" to describe someone who is unable to communicate with the outside world, as in "The prisoner was held in isolation, effectively "being incommunicado"."

What does "being incommunicado" mean?

"Being incommunicado" means unable or not allowed to communicate with other people.

What's the difference between "being isolated" and "being incommunicado"?

"Being isolated" refers to physical or social separation, while "being incommunicado" specifically refers to the inability to communicate, which may or may not involve physical isolation. You can use alternatives like "being isolated", "being unreachable" or "being out of touch" depending on the context.

Are there situations where "being incommunicado" is not appropriate?

Yes, it might be overly formal for casual conversation. In informal contexts, consider alternatives like "being uncontactable" or "being unavailable".