miscommunication

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'miscommunication' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a misunderstanding occurs due to a lack of effective communication. For example, a miscommunication between two co-workers resulted in the wrong documents being sent to the client.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think I find miscommunications particularly painful because they call up the hope that if the miscommunication could be cleared up, everything would work out!

The New Yorker

Moore, in his home debut, scored his first goal for Toronto with a tap-in in stoppage time after a defensive miscommunication.

The Guardian - Sport

Ricciardo's fourth place represented Red Bull's best qualifying performance of the season and he might have finished ahead of Vettel but for a miscommunication with his team.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Gates reckons reliable links with the People's Liberation Army helps to "reduce miscommunication, misunderstanding and the risks of miscalculation".

The Economist

Three new books will not have the same impact as "Lean In", but they offer some interesting new perspectives on how women are coping at work, and what is holding them back.Some of it is down to simple miscommunication.

The Economist

Letting Mr Kim get away with this outrage will only tempt him to try more.What if…If China cannot have a grown-up discussion with America about something as clear-cut as the attack on the Cheonan, how much greater will be the danger of miscommunication in the event of something hitherto unthinkable happening: an outbreak of war, say, a nuclear incident, or the collapse of the regime.

The Economist

Last night Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, went so far as to say rates could actually stay low longer than the Fed had previously indicated, especially if inflation didn't move back up to 2%.In fact, the premise that the bond market has sold off because of miscommunication is highly suspect.

The Economist

But emergency staff from various ministries were relegated to the basement, and there was often miscommunication, not least because mobile phones did not work underground.

The Economist

Yvon Jacob, chairman of Legris Industries, a diversified industrial group, intends "to do everything" to end the "miscommunication" between business and the public.With its farming tradition France has always been distrustful of trade and commerce, says Ms Parisot.

The Economist

Even so, it is a rather fonder look at the profession than would be found, say, in the "Street of Shame" and "Hackwatch" pages of Private Eye, a satirical British magazine".Backstory" is made up of 11 essays, ten of which were published in the New Yorker between 1993 and 2003, and one, on warring New York tabloids, which was rejected due to a "miscommunication" with editors.

The Economist

Last week's farcical miscommunication over France's recognition of the Libyan rebels pointed to ongoing confusion about who was really running its foreign policy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing "miscommunication", be specific about the parties involved and the nature of the misunderstanding to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid attributing "miscommunication" to vague reasons. Instead, pinpoint specific factors such as unclear language, differing interpretations, or inadequate channels.

Linguistic Context

The noun "miscommunication" functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing an instance where communication fails to convey the intended message accurately. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "miscommunication" effectively describes a failure in conveying information as intended, a scenario validated by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media, demonstrate its relevance and applicability. While alternatives like "misunderstanding" or "communication breakdown" exist, "miscommunication" offers a versatile and commonly understood way to address such issues. When writing, clarity about the parties involved and the specific causes of the "miscommunication" will ensure effective communication about the lack of it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misunderstanding

Focuses on the incorrect interpretation of information.

communication error

Directly points to a mistake in the communication process.

breakdown in communication

Focuses on the failure of the communication process itself.

failure to communicate

Highlights the lack of successful communication.

gap in communication

Suggests a missing element or connection in the exchange of information.

flawed communication

Highlights the imperfections or weaknesses in the communication process.

lack of understanding

Emphasizes the absence of shared comprehension.

ineffective dialogue

Emphasizes that the exchange did not achieve its intended outcome.

crossed wires

Suggests confusion and entanglement in the message exchange.

discord in communication

Focuses on the lack of agreement or harmony in the exchange.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "miscommunication" in a sentence?

Use "miscommunication" to describe instances where intended messages are not received or understood correctly. For example, "The project delay was due to a "miscommunication" between the design and development teams".

What are some alternatives to the word "miscommunication"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "misunderstanding", "communication breakdown", or "lack of clarity".

What's the difference between "miscommunication" and "misunderstanding"?

"Miscommunication" refers to the general failure to communicate effectively, while "misunderstanding" points to a specific instance of incorrect interpretation.

Is "miscommunication" formal enough for business writing?

Yes, "miscommunication" is suitable for business writing. However, ensure clarity and specificity when discussing "breakdown in communication" to avoid ambiguity.