difficult communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult communication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where conveying information or understanding between parties is challenging. Example: "The team faced difficult communication due to language barriers and differing cultural norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Guizhou has the frontier character of other southwestern plateau lands: rough topography, difficult communication and consequent isolation, and many ethnic minority groups.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Topping respondents' list of pet peeves (after high cost) was slow execution, followed by difficult communication, and an inability to track the status of an application.

The New York Times

The 40% had difficult communication.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Surgeons face difficult communication challenges with patients and their families.

Current Surgery

Difficult communication scenarios can come at you at 80 miles an hour.

Science Magazine

We have studied the interest of training paediatric and anaesthesiologist residents and fellows in difficult communication through simulation.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Communication in monogamy seems just as difficult as communication in poly..

Huffington Post

As a diagnosis of CFS/ME requires other conditions to be excluded, a number of appointments and investigations are required to reach diagnosis, which is made more difficult when communication is difficult.

BMC Family Practice

"If you don't like or trust that physician, it makes communication difficult, and why would you communicate with somebody you don't trust?" Academic-affiliated cardiologist.

BMC Medical Education

Patients need to fully understand the discharge process, yet may find it difficult to initiate communication with the healthcare providers when the time for communication is limited and in suboptimal locations.

BMJ Quality and Safety

"It was difficult to get communication with Erol because he was acting apart from the community and the family," he says.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing communication difficulties, be specific about the cause. For example, instead of simply stating "difficult communication", specify if it's due to language barriers, technical issues, or interpersonal conflicts.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about communication being "difficult" without providing context. Readers need to understand the specific hurdles involved, whether it's technical limitations, cultural differences, or emotional barriers, to grasp the full scope of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult communication" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "communication". It describes a state or situation where communication is not easy or straightforward. Ludwig shows several examples in scientific publications, news articles, and encyclopedias.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult communication" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes situations where exchanging information is challenging. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the cause of the difficulty, such as language barriers or technical issues, to provide clarity. Alternatives like "challenging communication" or "complex communication" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the specific context. While versatile, avoiding vagueness is crucial for effective writing. It's a phrase that accurately identifies a common problem across many fields and situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging communication

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", suggesting a demanding but potentially rewarding communication situation.

complex communication

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the communication process.

problematic communication

Highlights issues or obstacles that hinder effective communication.

strained communication

Indicates tension or discomfort affecting the exchange of information.

impaired communication

Suggests a reduced or weakened ability to communicate effectively.

awkward communication

Implies a lack of ease or grace in the communication process.

ineffective communication

Focuses on the unsuccessful outcome of the communication attempt.

faulty communication

Indicates errors or defects in the communication process.

labored communication

Suggests that communication requires significant effort and is not fluent.

unsuccessful communication

Highlights the failure to achieve the desired communication outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficult communication"?

Consider using phrases like "challenging communication", "complex communication", or "problematic communication", depending on the specific context.

What makes communication "difficult"?

Communication can be "difficult" due to various factors, including language barriers, technical issues, emotional distress, cultural differences, or lack of clarity in the message being conveyed.

Is "difficult communication" a formal or informal term?

"Difficult communication" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific language used to describe the difficulty might need to be adjusted based on the audience.

How to improve "difficult communication" in a team?

Improving "difficult communication" in a team involves strategies like active listening, clear articulation, using visual aids, establishing communication protocols, and addressing any underlying conflicts or misunderstandings.