Mastering the Word Communicated With Real World Sentence Examples

The word communicated is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "communicate." It refers to the successful exchange of information, ideas, feelings, or even physical entities like diseases. Understanding how to use communicated in a sentence requires more than just knowing its definition; it requires an appreciation for its grammatical roles, its prepositional pairings, and the specific contexts where it carries the most weight.

At its core, a basic sentence using the word might look like this: The results of the study were communicated to the board members yesterday. In this instance, the word functions as a past participle in a passive construction, indicating that an action was completed.

Grammatical Roles of Communicated

Before diving into complex examples, it is essential to understand the two primary ways communicated functions within English grammar.

As a Past Tense Verb

In the active voice, communicated indicates that a subject has already shared information. This is common in narrative writing or reporting on past events.

Example: The CEO communicated the new strategy during the annual meeting.
Analysis: Here, "the CEO" is the agent of the action, and "the new strategy" is the direct object.

As a Past Participle

The past participle form is used in perfect tenses or, more frequently, in the passive voice and as an adjective.

Passive Voice Example: The secret was communicated via a series of coded messages.
Adjectival Use Example: The communicated data proved to be vital for the mission's success.
Analysis: In the passive example, the focus is on the "secret" rather than who sent it. In the adjectival example, "communicated" modifies "data," describing its state.

Essential Prepositional Phrases with Communicated

The meaning of a sentence can shift significantly depending on which preposition follows the word communicated. Precision in choosing the right preposition is a hallmark of professional writing.

Communicated To

This is used when there is a clear recipient or audience for the information.

The policy changes must be communicated to every employee in the firm.
The captain’s orders were communicated to the crew through the intercom system.

Communicated With

This suggests a bidirectional exchange or a relationship of interaction. It is often used when discussing people, departments, or even technological devices.

The two diplomats communicated with each other through an official interpreter.
Our server successfully communicated with the third-party API to retrieve the user data.

Communicated Via or Through

These prepositions focus on the medium or channel used for the transmission.

Urgent alerts are typically communicated via SMS to ensure immediate attention.
Historical traditions were often communicated through oral storytelling before the invention of writing.

Using Communicated in Different Professional Contexts

The word communicated is a staple in formal and technical writing. Its usage varies according to the industry and the intent of the message.

Business and Corporate Communication

In business, clarity is paramount. The word is often used to document the distribution of information to stakeholders, employees, or clients.

Internal Updates: The restructuring plan was communicated to the staff three weeks before implementation to minimize anxiety.
Client Relations: Once the bug was identified, the resolution timeline was immediately communicated to the affected users.
Strategic Reporting: The quarterly financial gains were communicated to investors through a detailed digital prospectus.

Medical and Scientific Usage

In medical and scientific fields, the word takes on a more specialized meaning, often referring to the transmission of pathogens or the connection between anatomical structures.

Disease Transmission: Health officials warned that the virus could be communicated through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Anatomy: In some cases, the left ventricle is found to be communicated with the right ventricle due to a congenital heart defect.
Research Findings: The hypothesis was first communicated to the scientific community in a peer-reviewed paper published in 1998.

Legal and Official Documentation

Legal contexts require high levels of specificity regarding how and when information was shared.

Service of Process: The legal summons was communicated to the defendant at their primary place of residence.
Regulatory Compliance: Any changes in the environmental law must be communicated to the regional manufacturing plants within 48 hours.
Contractual Obligations: The termination of the agreement was communicated in writing, as required by Section 4 of the contract.

Active vs. Passive Voice: Which Should You Choose?

The decision to use an active or passive sentence structure with communicated depends on the emphasis of the message.

The Power of the Active Voice

Use the active voice when you want to highlight the person or entity responsible for the communication. This adds accountability and directness.

Active: The Prime Minister communicated the emergency measures directly to the nation.
When to use: In speeches, news headlines, and leadership communications.

The Utility of the Passive Voice

Use the passive voice when the sender is unknown, irrelevant, or when you want to focus primarily on the information itself.

Passive: The instructions were communicated clearly, yet many failed to follow them.
When to use: In formal reports, scientific papers, or when delivering bad news where the "sender" wants to remain neutral.

Comprehensive List of Examples: Communicated in a Sentence

To further clarify the usage, here is a categorized list of sentences demonstrating the word in various scenarios.

Formal and Academic Examples

The complex philosophical ideas were communicated in a way that was accessible to the general public.
Archaeological evidence suggests that trade routes communicated various cultural motifs across the continent.
The findings of the committee were communicated to the university provost in a confidential memo.
Each step of the chemical reaction was communicated to the laboratory technicians through a digitized manual.
It is essential that the risks associated with the surgery are communicated clearly to the patient.

Technology and Engineering Examples

The satellite communicated its last coordinates before entering the atmosphere of the planet.
During the test, the drone communicated with the base station using an encrypted frequency.
Error logs are automatically communicated to the development team whenever a system crash occurs.
The thermostat communicated with the heating unit to maintain a constant temperature of 72 degrees.
Data packets are communicated across the network in milliseconds to ensure low latency.

Everyday and Social Examples

She communicated her excitement through a wide smile and a sudden burst of laughter.
Although they spoke different languages, they communicated through gestures and mutual respect.
He communicated his dissatisfaction with the service by leaving a polite but firm note for the manager.
The twins often felt as if they communicated telepathically because they always knew what the other was thinking.
I communicated my travel plans to my parents so they wouldn't worry while I was away.

Historical and Literary Examples

The declaration was communicated to the colonies through a series of horseback riders.
In the novel, the protagonist's inner turmoil is communicated more through his silence than his dialogue.
The secrets of the ancient craft were communicated from father to son for over five generations.
Napoleon’s orders were often communicated via handwritten dispatches that were occasionally intercepted by the enemy.
The mood of the poem is communicated through its rhythmic structure and melancholic imagery.

Synonyms and Alternatives for Communicated

While "communicated" is versatile, using it repeatedly can lead to monotonous writing. Depending on the nuance you wish to convey, consider these alternatives:

Conveyed: Best for emotions or abstract ideas (e.g., "She conveyed her gratitude").
Transmitted: Best for data, signals, or diseases (e.g., "The signal was transmitted via fiber optics").
Imparted: Best for knowledge, wisdom, or specific qualities (e.g., "The teacher imparted her knowledge to the students").
Disseminated: Best for spreading information widely to a large group (e.g., "The propaganda was disseminated across the city").
Relayed: Best for passing information from one person to another (e.g., "He relayed the message to the commander").
Notified: Best for official or formal alerts (e.g., "The residents were notified of the water shut-off").

Troubleshooting: Common Mistakes with Communicated

Even experienced writers sometimes stumble when using this word. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.

1. The Redundant "To Me" or "With Me"

In some contexts, the recipient is implied, and adding "to me" can feel cluttered.

Weak: He communicated to me the news.
Strong: He communicated the news. (Or, if the recipient is vital: He told me the news.)

2. Confusing "Communicated" with "Said"

"Communicated" implies a process or a formal exchange. Using it for casual dialogue can sound unnatural.

Unnatural: "Pass the salt," he communicated.
Correct: "Pass the salt," he said.

3. Misusing the "Disease" Context

In modern English, we usually say a disease is "spread" or "transmitted." While "communicated" is technically correct in medical literature, it can sound archaic in general conversation.

Formal/Medical: The illness is easily communicated in crowded environments.
General: The flu spreads quickly in schools.

How to Structure Complex Sentences with Communicated

When dealing with a high volume of information, a single sentence must be carefully structured to remain readable.

The "Detail-Dense" Sentence Strategy: If you need to include the "what," "how," "who," and "when" in one sentence, use a combination of appositives and prepositional phrases.

Complex Example: The updated safety protocols, which include new evacuation routes and emergency contact lists, were communicated to the regional managers via an internal portal on Monday morning to ensure full compliance by the end of the week.

Breaking it down:

Subject: The updated safety protocols (The "What").
Non-restrictive clause: ...which include new evacuation routes... (The Details).
Verb (Passive): ...were communicated... (The Action).
Recipient: ...to the regional managers... (The "Who").
Medium: ...via an internal portal... (The "How").
Time: ...on Monday morning... (The "When").
Purpose: ...to ensure full compliance... (The "Why").

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is "communicated" a transitive or intransitive verb?

It can be both. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object (He communicated the plan). As an intransitive verb, it does not require a direct object, though it often uses a prepositional phrase (They communicated with each other).

What is the difference between "communicated to" and "communicated with"?

"Communicated to" is usually one-way (Information -> Recipient). "Communicated with" implies an interaction or two-way dialogue (Person A <-> Person B).

Can "communicated" be used for physical objects?

Generally, no. It is used for information, feelings, or biological transmissions (diseases). You wouldn't say "The package was communicated to the house"; you would say it was "delivered."

Is "communicated" too formal for an email?

In a professional email, it is perfectly appropriate. However, in a casual text message to a friend, words like "shared," "told," or "messaged" are better suited.

Summary of Key Takeaways

The word communicated is a powerful tool for indicating that information has been successfully transferred. Whether you are using it in the active voice to show leadership or the passive voice to emphasize a message, its effectiveness depends on clarity.

Always pair it with the correct preposition (to, with, via).
Use it in formal, medical, or technical contexts for maximum impact.
Ensure the grammatical role (verb vs. participle) aligns with your sentence structure.
When in doubt, check if a synonym like "conveyed" or "notified" provides a more precise meaning for your specific situation.

By mastering these nuances, you ensure that your writing is not only grammatically correct but also professional and authoritative.