Meaning & use
bypassing in communication
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Meaning
phraseuncountabletechnical
A communication failure where two people use the same word but mean different things, so they misunderstand each other.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun phrase: 'Bypassing in communication often causes arguments.'
Patterns
- bypassing in communication occurs
- cause bypassing in communication
The teacher explained that bypassing in communication happens when a word has different meanings for the speaker and the listener.
Their argument was a clear case of bypassing in communication: both thought they were talking about the same thing, but they were not.
To avoid bypassing in communication, define your terms before you discuss a complex topic.
Common combinations
- a case of bypassing in communication
- The misunderstanding was a classic case of bypassing in communication.
- avoid bypassing in communication
- Good writers avoid bypassing in communication by using precise language.
- bypassing in communication occurs
- Bypassing in communication occurs when people assume shared meanings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- miscommunication
- A broader term for any failure to communicate clearly; bypassing is a specific type caused by different interpretations of the same word.
Commonly confused: bypassing in communication or bypass?
bypassing in communication vs bypass
As a verb, 'bypass' means to go around something or avoid it; 'bypassing in communication' is a technical noun phrase, not a physical action.
Practice
Which situation best illustrates bypassing in communication?
Choose one answer.
Bypassing happens when the same word is understood differently by the speaker and listener. Option An is a language barrier, not bypassing; option C is a volume problem; option D is a style problem.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bypassing in communication”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.