communication error

USAGE SUMMARY

"communication error" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a mistake or misunderstanding that occurs during communication, leading to confusion or incorrect information. Example: The project was delayed due to a communication error between the two departments. Another example: The email was not received because of a communication error between the sender and the receiver.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Frustration and lack of confidence has borne itself out in some visible ways on the American side of the net, including one particularly demoralizing communication error in which two American men stood looking at one another as a ball dropped between them.

The New York Times

One type of communication error is mislabeled specimens.

Surgery

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

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

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

TechCrunch

In real application, the unbalance current can be significant considering IED communication error and data conversion error.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The top three reasons for investigations were poor communication, errors in diagnosis and poor treatment.

The Guardian

Mammologists would not necessarily reduce communication errors, which are often institutional issues.

The New York Times

These are psychological processes, Dr. White pointed out, not communication errors.

The New York Times

Proponents of weeding out students who lack interpersonal skills argue that communication errors are at the root of medical mistakes.

The New York Times - Health

There is little consideration of the patient's receiving cohesive treatment, which leads to the serious potential for fragmentation and communication errors.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting incidents, be specific about the type of "communication error" that occurred and its impact. For example, specify if it was a misinterpretation, a lost message, or a technical issue.

Common error

Avoid simply stating there was a "communication error" without identifying the root cause. Investigate and document the specific reason for the failure, such as unclear instructions or a faulty communication channel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communication error" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes a mistake or misunderstanding during communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Unknown

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "communication error" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a failure in communication leading to misunderstandings or incorrect information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific and technical discussions to news reports and general conversations. The analysis of usage patterns reveals that it is particularly frequent in scientific and news-related contexts. Related phrases like "miscommunication" and "breakdown in communication" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, with slight variations in emphasis and formality. When using the phrase, it is advisable to be specific about the nature and cause of the error to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miscommunication

A shorter, more general term for a failure in communication.

breakdown in communication

Emphasizes the process of communication failing.

communication breakdown

Reorders the words, emphasizing the breakdown aspect.

lapse in communication

Highlights a temporary failure to communicate effectively.

communication mistake

A simpler and more direct way to express the presence of an error in communication.

failure to communicate

A more direct and somewhat stronger way of expressing the lack of successful communication.

information gap

Focuses on the missing or incomplete information that results from communication problems.

flawed communication

Focuses on the imperfection or defect in the communication process.

misunderstanding

Highlights the incorrect interpretation of a message.

erroneous communication

Adds a formal tone and emphasizes the incorrect nature of the communication.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "communication error"?

Alternatives include "miscommunication", "breakdown in communication", or "failure to communicate".

How can I prevent "communication errors" in my team?

Establish clear communication protocols, encourage active listening, and use appropriate communication channels for different types of information.

What is the difference between "communication error" and "misunderstanding"?

"Communication error" is a broader term encompassing any failure in conveying information, while "misunderstanding" specifically refers to an incorrect interpretation of a message.

Is "communication error" a formal or informal term?

"Communication error" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The choice of specific alternative phrasing will depend on the specific context, like "erroneous communication" for formal ones.