hinder communication

USAGE SUMMARY

"hinder communication" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to express that something is blocking or impeding communication. For example, "The lack of cell phone service hindered communication between the two hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Intuitively, smells that exist in community members' interactions hinder communication.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The Pontiff used his annual message for the Catholic church's World Day of Communications to advise that while new media can help families communicate, it can also hinder communication too.

Independent

Critics argued the proposal could hinder communication between the government and the public.

The New York Times

The report described buyers in general as "police and secret services"; the equipment itself appears to have been used to hinder communication this month among demonstrators in Tehran.

The New York Times

In Switzerland there exist a vast number of (purely spoken, not written) dialects that are very distinct but which do not hinder communication among the German-speaking Swiss.

The Economist

Diversity might also hinder communication (Horwitz and Horwitz 2007).

IZA Journal of Migration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Some scholars suggest that the realization must have struck sometime in the 5th century, when barbarians were streaming into the Roman Empire and, supposedly, hindering communication.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I have also made clear to my inspectors that where leaders are condoning the wearing of the face veil by staff members or by pupils when this is clearly hindering communication and effective teaching, they should give consideration to judging the school as inadequate.

Independent

Lexical accuracy is generally high, though some confusion and incorrect word choice does occur without hindering communication.

Language Testing in Asia

Answer: The pilots came from a culture of deferential hierarchy that hindered communication when split-second decisions had to be made.

Forbes

In one example, Margaret Munro, a reporter with Postmedia News in Canada, noted that media relations rules implemented in 2007 by Environment Canada, an agency similar to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAAA), have hindered communication between journalists and scientists.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hinder communication", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "impede" suggests a more gradual obstruction, while "block" implies a complete stop.

Common error

While "hinder" is versatile, avoid overusing it, especially in formal writing. Replace it with more precise verbs like "impede", "obstruct", or "inhibit" to add variety and specificity to your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinder communication" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Examples from Ludwig show it being used to describe various obstacles to effective communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hinder communication" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse fields, as indicated by Ludwig. It serves the purpose of identifying factors that impede effective communication, appearing commonly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's wise to consider more precise synonyms like "impede", "obstruct", or "inhibit" for varied writing styles. Understanding the context in which "hinder communication" is used is key to ensure effective and clear messaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impede communication

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning, altering the tone slightly.

obstruct communication

Implies a more forceful blockage of communication.

inhibit communication

Suggests a restraining effect on communication.

disrupt communication

Focuses on the interruption of communication.

hamper communication

Indicates a difficulty or burden placed on communication.

block communication

Emphasizes a complete barrier to communication.

undermine communication

Suggests a weakening of the effectiveness of communication.

stifle communication

Implies a suppression or muffling of communication.

damage communication

Highlights the negative impact on communication quality.

affect communication negatively

A more descriptive alternative, specifying the adverse effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "hinder communication" to describe something that makes communication difficult. For example, "Language barriers can "hinder communication" between people from different countries."

What is a good alternative to "hinder communication"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "impede communication", "obstruct communication", or "inhibit communication".

Is it better to say "hinder communication" or "hinders communication"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "hinder communication" with plural subjects (e.g., "These factors hinder communication"). Use "hinders communication" with singular subjects (e.g., "This factor hinders communication").

What are some common factors that "hinder communication"?

Common factors include language barriers, noise, cultural differences, and technological limitations. These can all "hinder communication" in various settings.