breakdown of communications

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breakdown of communications" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a failure or disruption in the exchange of information between parties. Example: "The project was delayed due to a breakdown of communications between the teams involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

However, he warned against a full breakdown of communications with Moscow.

The Guardian

"So tenaciously did these men fight on orders to stand firm at all costs that they could not be dislodged despite murderous enemy fire and the breakdown of communications," the citation said.

The New York Times

Solíman admits there was a breakdown of communications and "political differences" which led to "difficulty working with the mayor himself", but claims that what resulted was beyond the control of her department.

The Guardian

While traditional disaster risk management meant the city was well prepared in terms of strict building codes, limiting damage and loss of life, what was not foreseen was the total breakdown of communications networks.

The Guardian

In an embarrassing breakdown of communications in the line of command, the Marine Corps said today that it planned to phase out enlistments of married men and women, only to be reversed hours later by Secretary of Defense Les Aspin.

The New York Times

Entwistle admitted there was "a significant breakdown of communications" but said he had acted quickly once he became aware of a dispute and called in BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie to talk to the journalists involved to get their version of the story.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The various breakdowns of communications left open several questions: Which Marine Corps officials sanctioned the release of the directive?

The New York Times

That object was tracked by Iranian ground radar, seen independently by the crew of a commercial airliner and pursued by the F4, which, according to the report, experienced a breakdown of their electronic communications devices when they neared the object.

The Washington Post

A TechCrunch breakdown of Facebook's communications team found numerous staffers linked to Sandberg formerly worked for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign alongside Matt Rhodes, who founded Definers after the campaign.

HuffPost

"I'm thinking of the France v Hungary first round group game in Argentina '78 when, due to some kind of communications breakdown, both teams turned up with only their change kits, both featuring white shirts.

The Guardian - Sport

"It provides newly public details of communications breakdowns, flawed assessments and inaccurate representations that for years misdirected the Department of Energy's administrative inquiry and the later F.B.I. investigation," Mr. Leahy said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breakdown of communications", specify the parties involved to provide context and clarity. For example, "the breakdown of communications between the project teams delayed the deadline".

Common error

While acceptable, "breakdown of communications" can sound informal in highly professional settings. Opt for more precise terms like "failure in communication channels" or "disrupted information flow" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breakdown of communications" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it describes a state or event where communication processes have failed or been disrupted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breakdown of communications" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe failures or disruptions in the exchange of information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting alternatives like "failure of communication" or "disruption in communication". Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its register is generally neutral, though context dictates the most appropriate level of formality. Understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives can improve the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communication breakdown

Reverses the order of the words, creating a compound noun.

failure in communication

Substitutes "breakdown" with "failure", emphasizing the lack of success in conveying information.

disruption in communications

Replaces "breakdown" with "disruption", highlighting the interruption of information flow.

lapse in communication

Uses "lapse" instead of "breakdown", suggesting a temporary failure or error.

communications failure

Similar to "communication breakdown", but emphasizes the failure aspect.

communications disruption

Similar to "disruption in communications", but more concise.

breakdown in information flow

Focuses on the flow of information rather than just "communications".

failure to communicate

Shifts the focus to the action of communicating, highlighting the inability to convey information.

miscommunication

Implies incorrect or unclear communication rather than a complete breakdown.

lack of communication

Highlights the absence of communication, which can lead to a breakdown.

FAQs

What does "breakdown of communications" mean?

A "breakdown of communications" refers to a failure or disruption in the exchange of information between individuals or groups, leading to misunderstandings or operational problems.

How can I use "breakdown of communications" in a sentence?

You might say, "The project's failure was attributed to a complete "breakdown of communications" between the development and marketing teams." Another example: "The natural disaster caused a widespread "breakdown of communications" across the region."

What can I say instead of "breakdown of communications"?

Alternatives include "communication breakdown", "failure in communication", "disruption in communications", or "lapse in communication" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "communication breakdown" or "breakdown of communications"?

Both phrases are commonly used and generally interchangeable. "Communication breakdown" is slightly more concise, while "breakdown of communications" might be seen as slightly more formal, though the difference is minimal.