impair communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impair communication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or situations that negatively affect the ability to communicate effectively. Example: "The noise from the construction site can significantly impair communication during our meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A later study from the same institution found that those who smoked skunk daily had subtle changes in their white matter that could impair communication between the two sides of the brain.

The Guardian

The research helped establish that--unlike Alzheimer's disease, in which whole neurons degenerate--normal aging does not damage the neural circuitry that underlies memory; instead, it seems to bring about subtle molecular changes that impair communication among neurons.

Science Magazine

Both chains align with a small RMSD of 0.43 Å, but again they are decoded into different code words: '4' for chain A and '16' for chain B. To further investigate how structural deviations in experimentally determined protein coordinates impair communication, we selected from the original set all NX = 29945 structures which were solved though X-ray crystallography.

Plosone

This can impair communication in social contacts and the ability to work.

Ear and Hearing

These discrepancies impair communication among patients, their families, and healthcare workers for clinical decision-making before and throughout the course of installing mechanical ventilation.

Critical Care

Research shows that aspects of language and culture are strongly related and impair communication between patients and health professionals [ 32, 33, 45].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, impaired communication and repetitive and restricted behaviors (Lord et al. 1994).

Brain Imaging and Behavior

The patchwork of rules and standards impairs communication and makes failures more likely, Mr. Hogan said.

The New York Times

With his wife, Thelma, Mr. Krinsky learned all he could about autism, a neurological disability that impairs communication and social function.

The New York Times

The Taser pulses stimulate the motor nerves, impairing communication between the brain and the muscles and essentially incapacitating the person, he said.

The New York Times

In summary, then, "Darwinism" is an ambiguous term that impairs communication even about Darwin's own ideas.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of external factors (like noise or language barriers) on conversations, use "impair communication" to highlight how those factors reduce the ability to effectively exchange information.

Common error

Avoid using "impair communication" with overly broad or undefined subjects. Be specific about what is causing the impairment. Instead of saying "technology impairs communication", specify "excessive screen time impairs face-to-face communication".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impair communication" functions as a verb phrase where "impair" is a transitive verb and "communication" is its direct object. This indicates an action performed on the noun "communication", suggesting a reduction in its quality or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impair communication" is grammatically sound and serves to describe a negative impact on the exchange of information. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and offers helpful examples. While not overly common, its usage is more frequent in scientific and news-related contexts. Alternatives such as "hinder communication" or "disrupt communication" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When employing this phrase, it is important to be specific about what is causing the impairment, as broad and undefined subjects may lead to vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinder communication

Changes the verb to "hinder", suggesting a slowing down or obstruction of communication rather than a complete impairment.

obstruct communication

Replaces "impair" with "obstruct", indicating a more forceful blockage or impediment to communication.

disrupt communication

Substitutes "impair" with "disrupt", highlighting the interruption or disturbance of communication flow.

affect communication negatively

Uses a more descriptive approach, specifying that communication is affected in a negative way.

degrade communication

Replaces "impair" with "degrade", suggesting a reduction in the quality or effectiveness of communication.

weaken communication

Employs "weaken" instead of "impair", indicating a reduction in the strength or clarity of communication.

damage communication

Uses "damage" to convey a more serious and potentially lasting negative impact on communication.

inhibit communication

Replaces "impair" with "inhibit", suggesting a restraint or suppression of communication.

limit communication

Uses "limit" to suggest that the extent or scope of communication is being restricted.

reduce the effectiveness of communication

Provides a more detailed explanation of the negative impact on communication, focusing on its effectiveness.

FAQs

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

Use "impair communication" to describe situations where something hinders effective exchange of information. For example, "The loud construction noise significantly "impairs communication" during our outdoor meetings".

What are some alternatives to "impair communication"?

You can use alternatives like "hinder communication", "disrupt communication", or "obstruct communication", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "impairs communication"?

When something ""impairs communication"", it means it reduces the ability to effectively exchange information, making it more difficult for people to understand each other.

Is it better to say "impairs communication" or "affects communication"?

"Affects communication" is a more general term. "Impairs communication" implies a negative impact, suggesting that communication is made worse or less effective. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended meaning.