lapse of communication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lapse of communication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there has been a failure or breakdown in communication between parties. Example: "Due to a lapse of communication, the project deadlines were not met, leading to confusion among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cornerback Corey Webster said, "There can be some lapse of communication between players" and added, "we definitely are angry".

The New York Times - Sports

Allegedly, Williams was told to wait for clearance to enter Cuban airspace from Havana officials, but either miscommunication, or a lapse of communication, caused an almost fatal incident.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A recent study estimated that 20 percent of Medicare patients discharged from hospitals are readmitted within 30 days because of lapses of communication among patients and various health care providers.

The New York Times - Arts

Not through lapses of defence but through lapses of communication or focus.

BBC

Health care professionals have long known that these handoffs provide prime opportunities for mistakes, most often because of communication lapses.

The New York Times

"The main cause of most of these incidents appears to be a temporary lapse of situational awareness, poor or lack of communication, failure to follow proper procedures, or human error".

The New Yorker

At first on radio and, beginning in 1952, on television, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" dramatized the gentle conflicts and lapses in communication of the sweet-tempered, well-behaved Nelson clan and brought them into American homes for 22 years.

The New York Times - Arts

Identifying explicitly the pathways to reporting and defining the lapses and remediation methods with clear lines of communication will help to standardize the process.

BMC Medical Education

Instead, Miller's plan is to outfit phones with a new hardware-software stack that will offer a baseline level of communication whenever a phone would otherwise lapse into "no service".

TechCrunch

Groh took responsibility today for that lapse in communication.

The New York Times - Sports

The lack of communication?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lapse of communication", consider the specific context. Is it a temporary oversight, a systemic issue, or a complete failure? Choose synonyms or related phrases if they more accurately reflect the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "lapse of communication" as a generic term for all communication problems. Sometimes, the issue is not a temporary lapse, but a chronic lack of communication or a fundamental misunderstanding. Use more precise language to describe the problem accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse of communication" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describes a temporary break in the flow of information, leading to misunderstandings or other negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lapse of communication" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a temporary breakdown or failure in communication. Ludwig examples show it's frequently used in news, science, and general contexts to explain errors or misunderstandings. While the phrase is versatile, consider using alternative expressions like "communication breakdown" or "failure to communicate" for greater precision or formality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but careful attention to context will ensure its appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communication breakdown

Focuses on the complete failure of communication, suggesting a more severe situation.

failure to communicate

Emphasizes the act of not communicating at all, or not communicating effectively.

breakdown in communication

Highlights the process of communication falling apart, often due to specific issues.

communication gap

Suggests a disparity or disconnection in understanding between parties.

lack of communication

Points to an insufficient amount of communication, implying that more is needed.

miscommunication

Indicates that communication occurred, but the message was not received correctly.

communication failure

Highlights the unsuccessful nature of the attempt to communicate.

information gap

Focuses on the absence of necessary information being conveyed.

disconnect in communication

Suggests a disruption in the flow or connection of communication.

communication breakdown

Emphasizes a complete and often sudden halt in the ability to exchange information effectively.

FAQs

What does "lapse of communication" mean?

A "lapse of communication" refers to a temporary failure or breakdown in the exchange of information between individuals or groups. It suggests a deviation from the expected or necessary flow of communication.

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

You might say, "Due to a "lapse of communication", the project deadlines were not clearly conveyed to the team." Or, "The incident was attributed to a "lapse of communication" between departments."

What are some alternatives to "lapse of communication"?

Alternatives include "communication breakdown", "failure to communicate", "communication gap", or "lack of communication", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lapse of communication" formal or informal?

"Lapse of communication" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, alternatives like "breakdown in communication" or "failure to communicate" might be preferred for their slightly more professional tone.