fail to communicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to communicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of effective communication or understanding between parties. Example: "In our last meeting, we failed to communicate our expectations clearly, leading to confusion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It became clear that risk communication restricted to conveying technical information will ultimately fail to communicate because it ignores the historic and social context of risks [ 5].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Many keep them separate, increasing the risk that they fail to communicate or work together properly.

The Economist

And nowhere do we fail to communicate more effectively than in an intimate relationship.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such statements, while true, fail to communicate the visceral impact of the piece.

The Guardian

But such statistics and anecdotes fail to communicate a fascinating aspect of the craft-beer boom.

The New Yorker

Not paintings from the private universes of their individual creators that fail to communicate universal meanings.

The New York Times - Arts

Our world is connected, yet we fail to communicate (emojis don't count).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Canadian biologist Dr Rees Kassen has written that his fellow scientists fail to communicate clearly enough for the democratic process.

The Guardian

Rosenstein said the agency will hold jurisdictions accountable if they fail to communicate with federal immigration agents.

The Washington Post

These rules are violated on a vast scale, as well-intentioned presenters fail to communicate their important information and insights.

Stanford University

Without a strong, engaging delivery, you will lose your audience's attention and fail to communicate your content.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to communicate", clarify the reason for the failure. Providing context about why communication broke down makes your writing more informative and actionable.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to communicate" as a vague criticism. Instead, specify what was not communicated, how it should have been communicated, and the consequences of the communication breakdown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to communicate" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a clause, expressing an action or state of not successfully conveying information, ideas, or feelings. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show this phrase in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to communicate" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that describes the absence of successful information transfer. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and can be used in several writing contexts. Analysis of various sources shows the phrase appears often in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic writing. It's important when using "fail to communicate" to clarify the reasons behind the failure and avoid vague generalities. Considering closely related alternatives such as "misunderstand each other" and "have a communication breakdown" can allow a writer to select the phrase that captures the appropriate semantic and contextual nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ineffective in communicating

Stresses the lack of impact or success in the act of communication.

have a communication breakdown

Emphasizes the occurrence of a disruptive event that hinders communication.

not get the message across

Highlights the failure of a message to be understood by the recipient.

fall short in communication

Highlights a deficiency or inadequacy in the act of communicating.

miss the mark in communication

Highlights a failure to achieve the intended outcome through communication.

be unable to convey

Focuses on the inability to successfully transmit a message or information.

misunderstand each other

Focuses on mutual lack of understanding rather than a one-sided failure to communicate.

be at cross purposes

Focuses on conflicting intentions hindering communication effectiveness.

be lost in translation

Implies a nuanced meaning that is not accurately conveyed when communicated.

not be on the same wavelength

Implies a lack of shared understanding or perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to communicate" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to communicate" to describe a situation where there is a lack of effective communication or understanding. For example, "The teams "failed to communicate" effectively, leading to project delays."

What are some alternatives to "fail to communicate"?

Alternatives include phrases like "misunderstand each other", "have a communication breakdown", or "be unable to convey", depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it better to say "did not communicate" or "failed to communicate"?

"Failed to communicate" often implies a more significant breakdown or a more critical lack of communication than "did not communicate", which can be a simpler statement of non-communication. The best choice depends on the context and the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "ineffective communication" and "fail to communicate"?

"Ineffective communication" describes a general state of poor communication, while "fail to communicate" indicates a specific instance or occurrence where communication was unsuccessful. The former is a characteristic, the latter is an event.