communication issues

USAGE SUMMARY

"communication issues" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to problems or difficulties in effectively exchanging information or ideas between people. Example: The team's productivity has been affected by the communication issues between the managers and the employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, there are separate chapters on communication issues and the holistic approach to cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

Adolescents reported family communication issues, which were associated with externalising behaviour problems.

British Journal of Cancer

Communication issues.

The New Yorker

"Has D.O.T. had communication issues?

The New York Times

"Maybe it's communication issues," she said.

The New York Times

Communication issues can serve to exclude people.

The Guardian

Communication issues aggravated by onion breath.

The New Yorker

Things like anger issues and communication issues.

The Guardian - Sport

In this case, "there were some communication issues," he said.

The New York Times

Doesn't constricted old George have communication issues of his own?

The Guardian - Film

The resulting communication issues have multiplied as well.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, consider adding a modifier like 'internal', 'technical', or 'cross-departmental' to give the phrase more precision.

Common error

Avoid using "communication issues" as a euphemism for serious managerial failures or personal conflicts when clarity is required. If a manager failed to send an email, it's often better to state that directly than to hide it behind a broad phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communication issues" functions as a compound noun phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the direct object of a verb (e.g., 'addressing communication issues') or the subject of a passive construction. It is a highly stable lexical unit where 'communication' acts as a noun adjunct modifying the head noun 'issues'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "communication issues" is a robust and grammatically correct phrase widely recognized across all major English-speaking domains. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is a staple in scientific discourse, particularly in medical and social research, as well as in professional news reporting. It provides a useful, neutral way to describe failures in information flow. While it is highly versatile, effective writers should pair it with specific adjectives to avoid vagueness. Whether you are discussing "interpersonal friction" or technical "transmission errors", this phrase serves as a reliable anchor for identifying obstacles in human and systemic interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communication breakdown

Suggests a total failure or cessation of effective dialogue rather than just specific issues.

dialogue problems

Emphasizes the interactive nature of the speech act between two parties.

misunderstandings

Focuses on the cognitive result of the issue rather than the process itself.

lack of clarity

Directly addresses the ambiguous nature of the message sent.

messaging gaps

Focuses on the missing components of a strategic or professional communication plan.

linguistic barriers

Specifically refers to difficulties caused by language differences or technical jargon.

connection difficulties

Often used for technical or remote communication contexts.

informational hurdles

Metaphorical way to describe obstacles in the flow of facts or data.

interpersonal friction

Shifts focus to the emotional or relational conflict resulting from poor communication.

transmission errors

Highly technical term focusing on the literal failure of sending data from A to B.

FAQs

How to use 'communication issues' in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object to describe obstacles, such as in the example: 'The project was delayed due to persistent "communication issues" within the remote team.'

What can I say instead of 'communication issues'?

Depending on the nuance, you can use phrases like "communication breakdown" for a total stop, or "misunderstandings" for errors in comprehension.

What's the difference between 'communication issues' and 'communicative issues'?

While similar, "communication issues" usually refers to the system or process of sharing information, whereas "communicative issues" often refers to an individual's personal ability to express themselves.

Is 'communication issues' formal enough for a business report?

Yes, it is a standard professional term. However, using a more precise alternative like "lack of clarity" or "informational gaps" can sometimes make your writing more impactful.