communication trail

USAGE SUMMARY

"communication trail" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the trail of communication between two or more people, or the sequence of actions that has been taken in order to communicate something. For example: "In order to clarify the issue, we need to track the communication trail between us and the customer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although the study sites were located within similar absolute distance from Wamena, their actual contact with tourists, and Indonesian people depends on convenience of the communication trail.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The calls, often known as robocalls, were the second most popular form of political communication, trailing only direct mail, the group said.

The New York Times

They also create complex communication networks using trails of pheromones that can be detected by other ants.

The Guardian

From there we might find the trail of communication, the co-opting and planning and execution.

The New York Times - Arts

Paper reporting was believed useful to have a record or "trail" of communication with the local Department of Health and for the purpose of having patients' events recorded with their medical history.

BMC Health Services Research

Until the railroad was built across southern Mato Grosso in 1914, the only means of communication except by overland trails was by way of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, 2,000 miles (3,000 km) eastward to the Atlantic Ocean.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Manics' "one last shot at mass communication", as Nicky Wire has trailed the campaign for the forthcoming Postcards from a Young Man, looks doomed when the lead single "(It's Not Love) Just the End of War" collapses after 10 seconds because Sean Moore's click-track is out of sync.

Independent

Rodents use scent marking in many social contexts including inter- and intra-species communication, the marking of trails and the establishment of territories.

Wikipedia

The play was first staged in 1930, as the decorum of the turn of the century was giving way to a post-First World War sense of dissolution, in which romance was a put-on, honor a masquerade, and communication a kind of false trail of language that led only back to solitude: {:.break one} ** AMANDA: China must be very interesting.

The New Yorker

CIAC uses two communication channels showing the properties of trail and direct communications.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Figure 17 shows that method (2) involves significant overhead in alltoall communication for large systems, even trailing the non-reordered case.

Data Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing digital exchanges, consider "digital communication footprint" if highlighting the traceable evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "communication trail" interchangeably with simply "communication". The "trail" aspect implies a sequence or record, not just the act of communicating itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communication trail" functions primarily as a noun phrase, denoting a sequence or record of communicative exchanges. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "communication trail" refers to a traceable sequence or history of communications. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare in usage. It is often used in contexts that require tracking the flow of information, such as in investigative reports or business audits. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of its specific implication of a sequential record and avoid using it when simply referring to the act of communicating. Related phrases include "record of communication" and "audit trail of communication", which may be more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

record of communication

Emphasizes the existence of a documented history of exchanges.

audit trail of communication

Highlights the traceability and verifiability of communication events.

communication log

Suggests a systematic recording of communication activities.

history of communications

Focuses on the accumulated timeline of past interactions.

communication thread

Implies a connected series of messages or conversations.

communication exchange

Highlights the act of giving and receiving information.

paper trail of communication

Specifically refers to physical documentation of communication.

digital communication footprint

Focuses on the digital evidence left by communication activities.

path of communication

Describes the route or process through which information travels.

chain of communication

Emphasizes the sequential flow of information from one point to another.

FAQs

How can I use "communication trail" in a sentence?

You can use "communication trail" to describe the sequence of messages exchanged between parties, as in, "The investigation revealed a detailed "communication trail" leading to the decision."

What's the difference between "communication trail" and "communication record"?

"Communication trail" implies a path or sequence, whereas "communication record" refers to a collection of documented communications. The "communication trail" focuses on the flow, while the record emphasizes documentation.

What can I say instead of "communication trail"?

Alternatives include "record of communication", "audit trail of communication", or "history of communications", depending on the context.

Is "communication trail" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "communication trail" is suitable for formal writing, but consider alternatives like "audit trail of communication" or "record of communication" in business or legal contexts where precision is paramount.