communicate to

USAGE SUMMARY

"communicate to" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are conveying some information to someone else. Example: I need to communicate to my boss the details of the new project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Communicate to the beneficiaries: You need to communicate to the communities you're working in, not just to the donors and general public.

The Guardian

We communicate to all members regularly.

The New York Times - Magazine

"O.K. Will it communicate to other people?

The New Yorker

What is he trying to communicate to the world?

The Economist

Kirobo will then communicate to another robot back on earth.

Independent

Teammates "do communicate to each other at times," Flanagan said.

The New York Times

How do you communicate to 38 million people?

The New York Times

"That will communicate to your child that you love them.

The New York Times

They want to communicate, to take you with them.

The Economist

"Magic is a tool to communicate to people," he said.

The New York Times

"He was so open, and wanted to communicate, to connect.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "communicate to", ensure that the recipient of the communication is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "communicate the changes to the team" is clearer than simply "communicate the changes."

Common error

Avoid using "communicate to" when a simpler verb like "tell" or "inform" would suffice, especially in informal contexts. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communicate to" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of conveying information, ideas, or feelings from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the process of transmitting a message to a recipient. Many examples show the phrase used in this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "communicate to" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of conveying information, ideas, or feelings. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in English writing. It is frequently used in news and media and science contexts. When using this phrase, make sure that the recipient is clearly stated. Consider alternatives like "convey to" or "inform" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. While it is generally neutral, avoid overusing it in informal contexts to keep your writing concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inform

This is a shorter alternative for conveying the same concept.

convey to

Emphasizes the action of transferring information directly.

impart to

Highlights the sharing of knowledge or wisdom.

transmit to

Suggests a formal or technical means of sending information.

relay to

Implies passing on a message received from someone else.

express to

Focuses on conveying personal feelings or thoughts.

disclose to

Focuses on revealing previously unknown information.

announce to

Suggests a public or official declaration.

report to

Emphasizes providing an account of something.

explain to

Highlights making something understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "communicate to" in a sentence?

You can use "communicate to" to describe the act of conveying information, ideas, or feelings to someone or something. For example, "The speaker needed to communicate to the audience the importance of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "communicate to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "convey to", "inform", "express to", or "relay to".

Is it always necessary to use "to" after "communicate"?

No, you can also use "communicate" without "to" when the object is directly implied, such as "We need to communicate better". However, when specifying the recipient, "communicate to" is often preferred.

What's the difference between "communicate to" and "communicate with"?

"Communicate to" implies a one-way transmission of information, while "communicate with" suggests a two-way exchange or interaction. For example, "The manager communicated to the employees" versus "The manager communicated with the employees."