lost communication

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost communication" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to explain a breakdown in communication or an interruption of conversation, for example: "The conversation ended abruptly when we lost communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

They lost communication.

The Guardian

His answer was noted: "Lost communication.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The most important thing is not to lose communication.

The Guardian - Sport

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

The New York Times

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

Lance Lynn, a Cardinals relief pitcher, recalled a game earlier this season in Philadelphia, when a complex technical issue forced the Cardinals' dugout to lose communication with the bullpen.

The New York Times - Sports

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events where "lost communication" occurs, specify the type of communication (e.g., radio, satellite, verbal) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lost communication" without specifying who or what experienced the loss. Instead of saying 'Communication was lost', be specific: 'The team lost communication with the base'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost communication" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and wide applicability in describing scenarios where communicative links are broken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost communication" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the cessation of information exchange, as confirmed by Ludwig. Analysis of various sources reveals its frequent use in News & Media and Science, highlighting events where communication is disrupted. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using "lost communication", it is best practice to specify the type of communication affected to provide clarity. Common alternatives include "breakdown in communication" and "communication failure". Ludwig's AI analysis confirms that this phrase is correct and broadly applicable in a variety of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breakdown in communication

Emphasizes a failure or cessation of communicative processes.

communication breakdown

Similar to breakdown in communication but slightly more concise.

interrupted communication

Highlights a disruption or pause in the flow of communication.

communication failure

Focuses on the unsuccessful nature of the communication attempt.

severed communication

Implies a complete and often forceful termination of communication.

lapse in communication

Indicates a temporary pause or gap in the exchange of information.

disrupted dialogue

Suggests an interference or disturbance in an ongoing exchange.

failure to connect

Highlights the inability to establish a communicative link.

missed connection

Implies a failure to establish communication, often due to timing or logistical issues.

communications blackout

Used in cases when all communications channels are unavailable.

FAQs

How to use "lost communication" in a sentence?

You can use "lost communication" to describe a situation where the ability to exchange information has ceased. For example: "The aircraft "lost communication" with air traffic control during the storm".

What can I say instead of "lost communication"?

You can use alternatives like "breakdown in communication", "interrupted communication", or "communication failure" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lost communication" or "loss of communication"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Lost communication" directly states the event, while "loss of communication" emphasizes the state or condition resulting from the event.

What's the difference between "lost communication" and "communications blackout"?

"Lost communication" is a general term indicating a break in communication. A "communications blackout" refers to a complete and often widespread loss of all means of communication.