communicate
/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt/ (ame, mw)
communicate — verb
- communicatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- communicateshe / she / it
- communicatedpast simple
- communicating-ing form
1. to give or exchange facts, news, or ideas with another person, using speech, wri
to give or exchange facts, news, or ideas with another person, using speech, writing, signs, or body movements — for example, telling a colleague about a meeting time, or waving to show you see a friend across a street.
Ravi communicates with his deaf neighbour using sign language every week.
communicate + with [person]
The manager communicated the new safety rules to all factory workers this morning.
communicate + [object] + to [recipient]
Bees communicate where good flowers are by dancing in a special pattern.
The twins often communicate with each other through small gestures and glances.
Drivers communicate their intentions by using turn signals and honking.
文法句型
communicate + with [person]
communicate + [information] + to [someone]
communicate + through [medium or signal]
communicate + by [method]
communicate + that-clause
用法筆記
When the focus is on two-way exchange, use 'communicate with [person]'. When the focus is on the message reaching someone, use 'communicate [information] to [recipient]'.
常見錯誤
2. to express your private thoughts, emotions, or needs in a way that another perso
to express your private thoughts, emotions, or needs in a way that another person can truly understand what you are feeling inside — for instance, telling a partner you are hurt by their words, not just stating a fact.
Theo finds it hard to communicate his feelings when he feels upset or angry.
communicate + feelings/emotions
Good friends communicate openly about what bothers them instead of staying silent.
communicate + about [topic]
The art therapist helps children communicate their fears through painting and drawing.
Nadia's silence communicated her disappointment more clearly than any words could have.
The couple learned to communicate their needs without blaming or accusing each other.
- express
broader; can be one-directional; 'express' does not require the listener to understand
- convey
more formal; focuses on the sender successfully transmitting the emotion
- articulate
suggests putting thoughts into clear, well-chosen words
文法句型
communicate + [emotion/need]
communicate + about [topic]
communicate + through [means of expression]
communicate + with [person] + about [topic]
用法筆記
Frequently used with abstract nouns such as 'feelings', 'emotions', 'needs', 'fears', or 'concerns'. Unlike sense 1, this sense emphasises emotional transparency and mutual understanding rather than factual information exchange.
常見錯誤
3. to pass an illness or infection from one living creature to another, either dire
to pass an illness or infection from one living creature to another, either directly or through a carrier — for example, when a mosquito spreads malaria to a person it bites.
Mosquitoes can communicate malaria when they bite a person after biting an infected host.
communicate + disease + to [recipient]
The infected cow communicated the virus to the rest of the herd within days.
Hospitals take strict steps to prevent patients from communicating infections to nurses and doctors.
Lab tests confirmed that the bacteria had been communicated through shared towels and bedding.
Simple hand washing greatly reduces the risk of communicating colds within a family.
文法句型
communicate + [disease] + to [person/animal]
be communicated + through [means]
用法筆記
More common in formal medical writing. In everyday speech, 'spread' or 'transmit' are used far more often for diseases. 'Communicable disease' (adjective form) is the standard term in public health.
常見錯誤
4. (of two rooms or spaces) to be connected by a door or opening so that people can
(of two rooms or spaces) to be connected by a door or opening so that people can walk directly from one into the other without leaving the building.
The master bedroom communicates with a private study through a narrow wooden door.
communicate + with [room] + through [opening]
In older European hotels, the dining room and the lounge often communicate directly.
The two hotel suites communicate through a shared hallway with a door at each end.
The architect knocked down a wall so the living room now communicates with the kitchen.
The palace was designed so that all official rooms communicated without long corridors.
- be separate from
rooms that have no connecting door
文法句型
[room] + communicates + with + [room]
[room] + and + [room] + communicate
用法筆記
Now considered old-fashioned or formal; modern English overwhelmingly uses 'connect', 'lead into', or 'open onto' instead. Mainly found in descriptions of historic buildings or formal architectural writing.