lapse in communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lapse in communication" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe a situation where one or more parties have failed to keep up communication. For example: "We suffered a lapse in communication due to the sudden illness of our main point of contact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Groh took responsibility today for that lapse in communication.

The New York Times - Sports

Even considering the need for secrecy, this seems an extraordinary lapse in communication, given the interconnected global markets.

The New Yorker

Islanders defenseman Sven Butenschon was nowhere in sight, but that might have been because there was a lapse in communication between the defense (Butenschon and Aucoin) and forward Jason Wiemer.

The New York Times - Sports

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that a lapse in communication Tuesday afternoon led to two commuter planes taking off from the runway at the same time that another plane was approaching from the opposite direction.

The Washington Post

Despite the lapse in communication, he hurriedly joined his new teammates in time for Tuesday night's road game against the Boston Bruins, becoming the third-oldest Devils player to make his N.H.L. debut, at 30 years 90 days.

The New York Times - Sports

During a news conference here on Saturday, Jim Karels, the Florida state forester, who was in charge of the investigative team, said the team could not tell whether the firefighters could have been saved if there had been no lapse in communication.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Accept there may be lapses in communication: Even the best communicators fall short when jumping across the vast cultural chasm.

WikiHow

For Axelrod, these lapses in communication were almost a point of honor.

The New Yorker

Once families become used to hearing from troops daily, lapses in communication can send imaginations racing.

The New York Times

For one thing, the day was chaotic, with real lapses in communication between White House spokesmen and medical personnel.

The New York Times - Books

If you work with Hispanic employees, you´ve surely experienced your fair share of lapses in communication.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting incidents, use "lapse in communication" to objectively describe a failure in information exchange, focusing on the event rather than assigning blame.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "Communication was lapsed", which is grammatically awkward. Instead, use active constructions such as "There was a "lapse in communication"" or "A "lapse in communication" occurred."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse in communication" functions as a noun phrase indicating a temporary failure or interruption in the process of exchanging information. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lapse in communication" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a temporary failure or interruption in the exchange of information. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides several real-world examples. While not extremely common, it is found across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and general informational sources. To enhance clarity, consider related phrases like "communication breakdown" or "failure to communicate" to precisely convey your intended meaning. It's also important to avoid incorrect phrasing such as "Communication was lapsed". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase "lapse in communication" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communication breakdown

This alternative directly indicates a failure in the communication process.

failure to communicate

This phrase emphasizes the act of failing to convey information effectively.

breakdown in communications

Similar to "communication breakdown", but emphasizes the systems of communication.

communication gap

This suggests a missing link or understanding between parties.

miscommunication

Indicates that information was conveyed incorrectly or misunderstood.

lack of communication

Highlights the absence of sufficient information exchange.

failure of coordination

This alternative moves the focus from the communication to the coordination itself.

disconnect in understanding

Emphasizes a lack of shared comprehension.

interruption in dialogue

Focuses on the disruption of an ongoing conversation.

communications failure

Similar to "failure to communicate", but focuses on the equipment or infrastructure.

FAQs

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

You can use "lapse in communication" to describe a temporary failure in exchanging information, like: "The project was delayed due to a "lapse in communication" between the teams."

What can I say instead of "lapse in communication"?

You can use alternatives like "communication breakdown", "failure to communicate", or "communication gap", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lapse in communication" or "lapse of communication"?

"Lapse in communication" is more commonly used and generally preferred when referring to a temporary failure in the process of communicating. "Lapse of communication" is less common but can be used to emphasize a complete cessation of communication.

What's the difference between "lapse in communication" and "miscommunication"?

"Lapse in communication" refers to a temporary failure to communicate, while "miscommunication" refers to a situation where information is conveyed incorrectly or misunderstood. A "lapse in communication" might mean no message was sent, while "miscommunication" means the wrong message was received.