failure of communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure of communication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where information is not effectively conveyed or understood between parties. Example: "The project faced significant delays due to a failure of communication between the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The majority of healthcare complaints involve a failure of communication.

The Guardian - Opinion

Failure of communication, failure of honesty, finally failure of love.

The Guardian - Books

"But Saturday cannot be put down by our opponents to a failure of communication alone.

The Guardian

"There's a failure of communication between doctors and lawyers and society.

The New York Times - Health

"A failure of communication between the many agencies to share their knowledge of concerns".

The Guardian

Cameron thinks that Lansley is guilty of a spectacular failure of communication.

The Guardian

He said: "There was a very serious failure of communication by Martin Baker [the manufacturer] in my view.

The Guardian

The disaster had been caused, the tribunal stated, not by "wickedness but ignorance, ineptitude and a failure of communication".

The Guardian

The invitation to come to Washington was announced in the wake of this unpleasant failure of communication between allies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ultimately, the duel was sustained not by a failure of communication but by a failure of imagination.

The New Yorker

He described the failure of communication at the prison in his most-acclaimed book, A Time to Die (1975).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex organizational issues, using "failure of communication" can be a clear and concise way to identify a root cause. For emphasis, follow it with specific examples of what went wrong.

Common error

Avoid using "failure of communication" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, specify what failed: a failure to inform stakeholders, a failure to listen to feedback, or a failure to clarify expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure of communication" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific problem or situation where the exchange of information has been unsuccessful. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to pinpoint the root cause of various issues across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure of communication" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a breakdown in information exchange. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently across varied contexts, from News & Media to scientific publications. While versatile, it's essential to specify the nature of the failure rather than using it as a generic explanation. Alternatives like "breakdown in communication", "lack of communication", and "miscommunication" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breakdown in communication

Focuses on the process collapsing rather than the outcome.

communication breakdown

Similar to 'breakdown in communication' but with a different word order.

lack of communication

Emphasizes the absence of communication rather than a failure.

miscommunication

Highlights incorrect or misunderstood communication.

communication gap

Suggests a distance or barrier preventing effective communication.

inadequate communication

Highlights that the level of communication was not enough.

flawed communication

Focuses on errors in the communication process.

impaired communication

Describes communication that is weakened or damaged.

deficient communication

Highlights communication lacking an essential quality.

communication lapse

Focuses on a temporary or occasional failure in communication.

FAQs

How can I use "failure of communication" in a sentence?

You can use "failure of communication" to describe situations where information isn't effectively conveyed or understood, for example: "The project faced delays due to a "failure of communication" between teams."

What are some alternatives to "failure of communication"?

Alternatives include "breakdown in communication", "lack of communication", or "miscommunication", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "breakdown in communication" or "failure of communication"?

Both "breakdown in communication" and "failure of communication" are acceptable, but "breakdown in communication" might imply a process collapsing while "failure of communication" indicates the outcome.

Can "failure of communication" be considered a euphemism?

Sometimes, "failure of communication" can be a euphemism when used to soften the impact of more direct terms like negligence or incompetence. The context determines whether it serves as a deliberate understatement.