losing communication with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing communication with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where contact or connection with someone or something is being lost or diminished. Example: "During the storm, we found ourselves losing communication with the rescue team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mrs. Brill contributed to the propulsion systems of Tiros, the first weather satellite; Nova, a series of rocket designs that were used in American moon missions; the Atmosphere Explorer, the first upper-atmosphere satellite; and the Mars Observer, which in 1992 almost entered a Mars orbit before losing communication with Earth.

The New York Times - Science

Disastrous mutations at the genetic level lead to abnormal cell division, causing cancer cells to become rogues in the body, multiplying without check, crowding out normal cells, and in general wreaking havoc by losing communication with the body's fine-tuned intelligence.

Huffington Post

They were concerned for their safety when being out working on their own and losing communication with the administration staff.

BMJ Open

When discussing their avoidance, subjects described themselves as avoiding people or situations, hiding, sleeping, or staying in bed, avoiding self-care, avoiding emotions, feeling safe at home, and losing communication with people, saying, for example: It's a very dark place.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ruth Gabrielle Rosee) has lost communication with her teenage daughter, Rachel Nadia Litzz).

The New York Times

He approached her and she said, "We've lost communication with the crew".

The New York Times

"They go into class with a teacher who speaks only English, and then parents lose communication with the school entirely".

The New York Times

Two days after Arboleda-Palacios set out in the sub, his crew lost communication with the base.

The New York Times - Magazine

The ceremony began at 9 a.m., the instant NASA lost communication with the Columbia on Feb. 1, 2003.

The New York Times

"The helicopter lost communication with aviation control centre a short time after it left Vientiane Capital with four crew members and 19 passengers on board," the report said.

The Guardian

Scientists suspect it occurs when the brain stem, which generates laughter and crying, loses communication with parts of the brain that control emotional expression.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "losing communication with" when describing a breakdown in the ability to transmit or receive information. For example, use it when describing technical failures, natural disasters, or relationship breakdowns.

Common error

Avoid using "losing communication with" when you mean "losing touch with". The first refers to a concrete inability to exchange information, while the second refers to a gradual weakening of a relationship or connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing communication with" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating a diminishing or cessation of the ability to exchange information between two entities. It specifies the process of disconnecting or failing to maintain communicative links, as exemplified by Ludwig in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "losing communication with" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a breakdown or cessation in the ability to exchange information. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, science, and general contexts. It's important to differentiate it from "losing touch with", which implies a gradual fading of a relationship rather than a technical or direct failure in communication. It can be used in various scenarios, from technical malfunctions to describing isolation after a natural disaster. The usage examples on Ludwig confirm its suitability across a range of authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer communicating with

States a cessation of communication, focusing on the absence of exchange.

cutting off communication with

Suggests a deliberate act of severing the communication link.

ceasing contact with

Emphasizes the termination of contact, highlighting a more definitive end to communication.

breaking contact with

Implies a more abrupt or forceful end to communication.

disrupting communication with

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance of communication, rather than its complete loss.

losing touch with

Implies a gradual fading of communication and connection.

failing to connect with

Highlights the inability to establish or maintain a connection.

becoming uncontactable by

Shifts the focus to the state of being unreachable, rather than the act of losing communication.

becoming isolated from

Emphasizes the separation and lack of connection, rather than specifically communication.

finding it hard to communicate with

Highlights the difficulty in maintaining an active and effective dialogue.

FAQs

What does "losing communication with" mean?

The phrase "losing communication with" means that the ability to exchange information or maintain contact with someone or something is diminishing or has ceased entirely. It often implies a technical failure, geographical barrier, or severed relationship.

What are some alternatives to "losing communication with"?

Alternatives include "ceasing contact with", "disrupting communication with", or "breaking contact with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "losing communication with" or "losing contact with"?

"Losing communication with" and "losing contact with" are similar, but "losing communication with" typically implies a more technical or direct breakdown in the ability to exchange information. "Losing contact with" can be broader, referring to a gradual fading of a relationship or connection.

How do I use "losing communication with" in a sentence?

You can use "losing communication with" to describe situations like: "The satellite was "losing communication with" ground control," or "The remote village started "losing communication with" the outside world after the storm."