- Do you often find yourself stuck trying to find the right verb to use with “communication”?
- Have you ever wondered why native speakers say “establish communication” instead of “make communication”?
- Are you looking to sound more professional and precise in your emails and meetings?
Mastering collocations—words that naturally “fit” together—is the fastest way to move from intermediate to advanced English. When you learn communication collocations, you stop translating word-for-word from your native language and start using the rhythmic, predictable patterns that native speakers use intuitively. This guide will help you build “Communication” phrases that sound modern, professional, and natural.
Essential Collocations using COMMUNICATION as a Noun
In English, “communication” is most frequently used as a noun. It refers to the process of exchanging information or the system used to do so. Here is how it pairs with other words.
Adjectives used with Communication
These adjectives describe the quality or type of the interaction.
- Effective communication: Communication that produces the desired result.
Example: “Effective communication is the key to a successful marriage.” - Poor communication: When information is not shared well.
Example: “The project failed due to poor communication between departments.” - Two-way communication: A process where both parties actively participate.
Example: “A good manager ensures there is always two-way communication with the staff.” - Non-verbal communication: Using body language and facial expressions.
Example: “The professor emphasized the importance of non-verbal communication during interviews.” - Internal communication: Information sharing within a company.
Example: “We need to improve our internal communication to keep everyone updated.”
Verbs used with Communication
These verbs describe the actions we take regarding the process of sharing information.
- Establish communication: To start a connection with someone.
Example: “The rescue team is trying to establish communication with the trapped hikers.” - Maintain communication: To keep in touch regularly.
Example: “It is vital to maintain communication with our international clients.” - Improve/Enhance communication: To make the process better.
Example: “We are using new software to enhance communication within the team.” - Break off communication: To stop talking or writing to someone.
Example: “The two countries decided to break off diplomatic communication.” - Facilitate communication: To make it easier for people to talk.
Example: “The mediator’s role is to facilitate communication between the two parties.”
Common Noun + Noun Combinations
“Communication” often acts as a modifier for another noun to describe specific concepts.
- Communication skills: The ability to convey information well.
Example: “Job candidates must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.” - Communication breakdown: A failure to exchange information correctly.
Example: “A communication breakdown led to the wrong order being shipped.” - Communication channel: The method used to send a message (email, phone, etc.).
Example: “Slack is our primary communication channel for daily updates.” - Communication gap: A difference in understanding between two groups.
Example: “There is a significant communication gap between the older and younger generations.”
Common Collocations with COMMUNICATE as a Verb
When using the action word “communicate,” we often pair it with specific adverbs or prepositions to add detail to the action.
Adverbs used with Communicate
- Communicate clearly: To express ideas in a way that is easy to understand.
Example: “Please try to communicate clearly so there is no confusion.” - Communicate effectively: To achieve your goal through your words.
Example: “Leaders must be able to communicate effectively with their followers.” - Communicate openly: To speak honestly and without hiding secrets.
Example: “Our team encourages members to communicate openly about their concerns.” - Communicate regularly: To keep in touch often.
Example: “We communicate regularly via video calls.”
Prepositional Collocations
- Communicate with (someone): The most common way to say you are talking to someone.
Example: “I need to communicate with the manager before making a decision.” - Communicate by/via (method): Used to describe the medium of contact.
Example: “In the 21st century, we mostly communicate by email and social media.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Effective communication | Adjective + Noun | Successful exchange of info |
| Establish communication | Verb + Noun | To start a connection |
| Communication breakdown | Noun + Noun | Failure to understand |
| Communicate clearly | Verb + Adverb | Express ideas simply |
| Maintain communication | Verb + Noun | To stay in touch |
| Open communication | Adjective + Noun | Honest, transparent talk |
| Communication skills | Noun + Noun | Ability to talk/write well |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make communication with… | Establish communication with… |
| Give a communication | Send a communication (formal) or Communicate |
| A problem of communication | A communication breakdown |
| Communicate to my boss | Communicate with my boss |
| Total communication gap (archaic) | A total lack of communication |
Contextual Story
“To ensure the success of our new product launch, we must prioritize internal communication. In the past, we suffered from a communication breakdown between the marketing and tech teams. This time, we have established clear communication channels via specialized software. It is important that everyone communicates openly about any delays. By enhancing our communication skills, we can avoid a communication gap and ensure the client receives clear communication regarding our progress.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Communication Collocations
What is the difference between ‘communication’ and ‘communications’?
“Communication” (singular) usually refers to the act or process of sharing information. “Communications” (plural) often refers to the technical systems or the industry, such as “telecommunications” or a “Department of Communications.”
Can I say ‘make communication’?
<pNo, "make communication" sounds unnatural. Use "establish communication" if you are starting a connection, or "maintain communication" if you are keeping one going.
Which preposition is best: ‘communication with’ or ‘communication to’?
<p"Communication with" is much more common and suggests a two-way interaction. "Communication to" is used rarely and only when the information is flowing in one direction, like a formal announcement.
Is ‘verbal communication’ only about speaking?
Actually, in linguistics, “verbal communication” refers to the use of words—whether they are spoken or written. However, in casual daily English, most people use it to mean “spoken communication.”
How do I describe communication that is not honest?
You can use collocations like “misleading communication,” “deceptive communication,” or “guarded communication” (when someone is hiding information).
I'm always mixing up verbs with nouns. This breakdown of 'communication' as a noun is super clear. Any chance for an article on 'communicative' as an adjective and its collocations?
We're so glad the breakdown was helpful, Oliver! That's a brilliant idea for a future article. Exploring 'communicative' and its collocations, perhaps with verbs like 'be communicative' or 'foster a communicative environment,' would be a valuable expansion. We'll add it to our list! Thank you for the suggestion.
As an advanced learner, I often feel stuck at a plateau. Articles like this that focus on natural, idiomatic usage are incredibly valuable for refining my English. The 'stop translating word-for-word' advice is spot on!
So, collocations are basically fixed expressions, right? Or are they more flexible? Sometimes I'm not sure if I can swap words out.
Great question, Lena! Collocations are often described as words that 'go together' naturally. While some are very fixed (like 'strong tea,' not 'powerful tea'), others have a degree of flexibility. For instance, you can have 'good communication' or 'effective communication,' but 'effective' is more common and precise in professional contexts. The key is to learn the most natural pairings that native speakers use intuitively, rather than trying to swap words freely. Keep practicing, and you'll develop an ear for what sounds right!
I work in IT, and 'two-way communication' is essential for project success. This article helps me articulate that more precisely in English. Great job!
You mentioned adjectives like 'effective' and 'poor'. Are there other common ones, maybe for specific types of communication? Like 'direct communication' or 'brief communication'?
That's a fantastic thought, Chloe! You're right, there are many more. 'Direct communication' and 'brief communication' are indeed excellent examples. Other common ones include 'clear communication,' 'concise communication,' 'verbal communication,' 'non-verbal communication,' 'written communication,' and 'cross-cultural communication.' Each adjective adds a specific shade of meaning to the type of interaction. Great observation!
In my culture, 'poor communication' might be seen as a sign of disrespect rather than just a lack of skill. It's interesting how these phrases carry different weight globally. Thanks for the examples!
I sometimes struggle with the pronunciation of 'communication' itself, especially the 'ca-tion' part. Does practicing these collocations also help with natural speech rhythm?
Absolutely, Mateo! Practicing collocations in phrases helps immensely with natural rhythm and intonation. When you learn words together, you start to hear and reproduce the native-like stress patterns. For 'communication,' focus on stressing the 'ca' syllable: /kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/. Try saying 'effective communication' as a single unit, and you'll find the rhythm comes more naturally!
This blog is a lifesaver! Thank you for simplifying such a complex topic. Looking forward to more articles like this!
What about 'open communication'? Is that a common collocation? I often use it to mean honesty and transparency in discussions, especially at work.
Yes, Lars, 'open communication' is a very common and highly valued collocation, especially in professional and relational contexts! It precisely conveys the idea of transparency, honesty, and a willingness to share information freely without hidden agendas. You're using it perfectly, and it's a great example of an adjective adding a specific, positive quality to 'communication.'
The point about 'rhythmic, predictable patterns' is so true! When I stop translating word-for-word, my English flow improves dramatically. This article is a great reminder to focus on these chunks of language. It really helps with fluency.