failed to communicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to communicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone did not successfully convey a message or information. Example: "The team failed to communicate their ideas effectively during the meeting, leading to confusion about the project direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it totally failed to communicate them.

The Guardian - Tech

And, once again, he failed to communicate effectively with Bragg.

The New York Times

However, the police failed to communicate the position to Brittan.

Independent

Again, R has failed to communicate anything to anyone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ministers say that they have failed to communicate "substantial achievements".

The Guardian

That is partly because governments have failed to communicate its benefits.

The Economist

"She has failed to communicate her policies to audiences in these countries," Mr. Youngs said.

The New York Times

And I think I might have failed to communicate everything about this job properly.

The New York Times - Magazine

He repeatedly came back to the idea that he had merely failed to communicate.

The New York Times

Last, in releasing the study, we failed to communicate clearly why and how we did it".

The Guardian - Tech

They were said to have failed to communicate with each other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to communicate", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific information or message was not successfully conveyed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to communicate" without specifying to whom or about what. Providing these details adds crucial context and prevents your statement from being vague and less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to communicate" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a lack of successful conveyance of information or ideas. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing shortcomings in various communication scenarios. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to communicate" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of successful communication, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently used in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify to whom or about what the failure occurred to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "did not convey" and "was unable to express". Ludwig examples highlight its use to describe breakdowns in communication, often assigning blame or noting deficiencies. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not convey

Focuses on the act of not successfully transmitting a message.

was unable to express

Highlights the inability to articulate or share thoughts effectively.

did not articulate

Emphasizes a lack of clarity or detail in conveying a message.

miscommunicated

Suggests that communication occurred, but the message was misunderstood or inaccurate.

did not make clear

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the information provided.

left unsaid

Indicates that information was intentionally or unintentionally omitted.

neglected to inform

Highlights the omission of necessary information, often implying a degree of responsibility.

did not disclose

Implies a deliberate withholding of information.

kept silent about

Suggests a conscious decision not to share information.

remained tight-lipped

Emphasizes a refusal to speak openly or share details.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to communicate" to describe a situation where information wasn't effectively conveyed. For example: "The team "failed to communicate" the project's urgency, leading to delays."

What are some alternatives to "failed to communicate"?

Alternatives include "did not convey", "was unable to express", or "miscommunicated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "failed to communicate" and "miscommunicated"?

"Failed to communicate" implies a lack of any successful communication, whereas ""miscommunicated"" suggests that communication occurred, but the message was misunderstood or inaccurate.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but ""failed to communicate"" often implies an expectation or need for communication that was not met, adding a layer of judgment or consequence that "did not communicate" might lack.