broken line of communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken line of communication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where communication has been disrupted or is not functioning effectively. Example: "Due to the recent changes in management, there has been a broken line of communication between the departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No legal mandate can heal broken lines of communication between a parent and child, and no amendment to the statute is likely to correct its unconstitutionality.

The New York Times

In a barely furnished safe house not far from the camp, a Syrian businessman ticked off all the things that he had bought at his own expense and shipped home: satellite phones, to restore broken lines of communication, and medicine, to treat the victims of a spreading war.

The New York Times

It was resolved that Gloucester must still be taken; if it was left in Parliamentarian hands, it would act as a break in lines of communication should the Royalists advance further east towards London.

Wikipedia

When one person misses a bit of information and the line of communication breaks, there needs to be a quick, easy and effective way to fix it, he said.

Los Angeles Times

Try to flow with life as it happens, and when you feel a jolt, stop and ask yourself where the line of communication between your Divine Self and your physical self has broken down.

Huffington Post

In May, when news broke that during the transition Jared Kushner had tried to set up a backchannel line of communication with Russia, Kelly spoke on his behalf.

The New Yorker

"To veto, I think, would've broken some of the lines of communication that we are going to need in this crisis," he said.

The New York Times

Resident assistants are the first line of communication.

The New York Times

Al and I have always had an open line of communication.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe, number one: Try to maintain an open and loving line of communication with our Lord.

The New Yorker

Therefore, fostering a clear line of communication throughout the company.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "broken line of communication", clearly identify the parties or entities between whom the communication has broken down to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "broken line of communication" without specifying the context. For example, instead of saying "There's a broken line of communication", specify "There's a broken line of communication between management and employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken line of communication" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state where communication is disrupted or has ceased.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broken line of communication" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe a disruption or cessation in the flow of information between parties. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's essential to provide context when employing this phrase to specify who is affected by the communication breakdown. Although no exact usage examples were found in the provided data, the phrase is relevant and widely applicable across various contexts. Alternatives like "disrupted communication channel" or "impaired communication pathway" may offer a more formal tone, while the core message remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupted communication channel

Replaces "line" with "channel", emphasizing the pathway of communication and using "disrupted" for "broken".

failed communication link

Substitutes "line" with "link", highlighting the connection aspect and using "failed" to convey the breakdown.

interrupted communication flow

Focuses on the flow of communication rather than the line, using "interrupted" to indicate the break.

impaired communication pathway

Emphasizes the difficulty in communication, suggesting a hindrance rather than a complete break.

non-existent communication link

Highlights the complete absence of a communication connection.

collapsed communication bridge

Uses a metaphorical "bridge" to represent the communication connection, indicating a complete failure.

severed communication ties

Implies a more forceful and intentional break in communication.

halted communication exchange

Focuses on the exchange of information, indicating that it has stopped.

defunct communication system

Indicates that the entire system of communication is no longer working.

unresponsive communication network

Highlights the lack of response or feedback within the communication system.

FAQs

How can I use "broken line of communication" in a sentence?

You can use "broken line of communication" to describe situations where communication has been disrupted or ceased between parties. For example: "Due to the system failure, there was a broken line of communication between the headquarters and the regional offices".

What's a more formal alternative to "broken line of communication"?

A more formal alternative could be "disrupted communication channel" or "impaired communication pathway", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone says there's a "broken line of communication"?

It means that the regular or expected flow of information between individuals or groups has been interrupted or completely stopped, leading to misunderstandings or inefficiencies.

How does a "broken line of communication" differ from "ineffective communication"?

"Broken line of communication" suggests a complete or near-complete cessation of communication, while "ineffective communication" implies that communication is still happening but is not producing the desired results. You can use alternatives like "disrupted communication channel" or "impaired communication pathway" depending on the context.