disrupt communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'disrupt communication' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which communication is prevented from achieving its intended purpose. For example, "Construction noise from the nearby building disrupted communication between the two teams during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

Harvard Business Review

University of California, Berkeley

The New York Times

The New York Times - Tech

The New York Times - Magazine

The Economist

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Huffington Post

Vice

Plosone

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Chemistry - A European Journal

Breast Cancer Research

BMC Genomics

BMC Family Practice

British Medical Journal

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Success depended on the rapid capture of the communications hub at Afulah and the Yildirim Army Group's general headquarters at Nazareth which would disrupt communication and simultaneously almost surround the Eighth Army and cut the communications and supply lines to both the Seventh and Eighth Armies in the Judean Hills.

Wikipedia

Customer layoffs remove your advocates and disrupt communication.

Harvard Business Review

Many are caused by specific gene defects that disrupt communication between neurons.

University of California, Berkeley

Space storms disturb the magnetic field and can damage spacecraft, disrupt communication satellites and cause electrical blackouts.

The New York Times

For many years, United States officials have said Beijing could use Huawei's telecommunication equipment to spy and disrupt communication networks.

The New York Times - Tech

The reverence of the past interferes with technical progress; the thick walls disrupt communication; the huge offices with massive wooden doors dissuade anyone outside them from imagining what should go on inside them and hide those on the inside from critical scrutiny.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Trees and power poles were uprooted, disrupting communication and electricity supplies.

The New York Times

For instance, social bots have been reportedly used to suppress free speech by disrupting communication among protesters in Iran and Russia.

The Washington Post

He said he immediately tried to call Mr. Ozawa and his many contacts in Japan, to no avail because of disrupted communication systems.

The New York Times - Arts

A large aftershock in Li County, west of the epicenter, created additional landslides, burying cars, disrupting communication and making even more areas difficult for rescuers to reach, the government said.

The New York Times

ALS researchers find profoundly disrupted communication between motor neurons and a neighboring type of glial cell called "astrocytes". Columbia's Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Center, legacy of baseball great, focuses on patient care and clinical trials.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about conflicts or strategic actions, use "disrupt communication" to emphasize the impact on information flow and coordination. For example, "The cyberattack aimed to disrupt communication within the organization."

Common error

Avoid using "disrupt communication" in very casual contexts. Opt for simpler phrases like "interrupt" or "disturb" when describing minor communication issues in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disrupt communication" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting on a noun. It describes an action that negatively affects the process of conveying information. This analysis is consistent with Ludwig's validation of the phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disrupt communication" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe actions that hinder or stop the flow of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it's a valuable term, remember to consider its relatively formal tone and potential alternatives like "impair communication" or "hinder communication" for nuanced expressions. To avoid misuse, be aware to use "disrupt communication" to emphasize the impact on information flow and coordination and avoid to use in very casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impair communication

Emphasizes weakening or damaging the effectiveness of communication.

hinder communication

Suggests making communication difficult or slower.

obstruct communication

Highlights the blocking or preventing of communication.

interfere with communication

Indicates disturbance or meddling with the process of communication.

block communication

Focuses on a complete stoppage of communication.

cut off communication

Implies a sudden and complete termination of communication.

break down communication

Highlights the failure or collapse of communication channels.

disable communication

Emphasizes rendering communication systems inoperable.

sabotage communication

Indicates a deliberate act to undermine or ruin communication.

derail communication

Focuses on taking communication off course or preventing its intended outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "disrupt communication" to describe actions that hinder or stop the flow of information, such as "The power outage "disrupted communication" between the field teams and headquarters."

What are some alternatives to "disrupt communication"?

Alternatives include "impair communication", "hinder communication", or "obstruct communication", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "disrupt communication" or "interrupt communication"?

"Disrupt communication" suggests a more significant or lasting effect on communication, while "interrupt communication" implies a temporary pause or disturbance. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "disrupt communication" and "interfere with communication"?

"Disrupt communication" implies a more complete breakdown or prevention of communication, while "interfere with communication" suggests a partial obstruction or disturbance of the communication process.