---
title: "Factors for failure of communication"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_5/communication_english:factors-failure-successful-communication"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/factors-failure-successful-communication
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Factors for failure of communication

Communication English · Chapter 4: Introduction to technical writing process

- Asked in: 2068 Chaitra, 5 marks
- Video: [How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) - Katherine Hampsten](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfzeONu3Mo) — TED-Ed
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/factors-failure-successful-communication
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-4

## Question

What are the factors responsible for failure in successful communication?

## Short answer

Barriers include physical noise, semantic/language problems, psychological/emotional states, cultural differences, organisational issues, personal factors (poor listening), wrong medium, lack of feedback, and poor message planning. Overcoming them requires clear language, proper channel, active listening, feedback, and cultural sensitivity.

## Answer

Communication fails when the message received is not the message intended. The factors responsible are called barriers to communication.

#### Main factors
1. **Physical barriers.** Noise, distance, poor telephone lines, faulty equipment or a bad seating arrangement prevent the message from being heard or seen clearly.
2. **Semantic (language) barriers.** Unclear words, technical jargon, ambiguous or badly structured sentences and different meanings of the same word cause misunderstanding.
3. **Psychological and emotional barriers.** Anger, fear, stress, prejudice, inattention, lack of trust or a closed mind reduce the receiver's ability to listen or accept.
4. **Cultural barriers.** Differences in customs, values, gestures, language and etiquette lead to wrong interpretation.
5. **Organisational barriers.** Too many levels of hierarchy, poor channels, status differences, information overload and lack of feedback delay or distort messages.
6. **Personal barriers.** Poor listening, lack of interest or knowledge, wrong assumptions, poor memory and selective perception.
7. **Poor channel or medium.** Using the wrong medium (a long complex message by telephone instead of in writing) reduces effectiveness.
8. **Lack of feedback.** The sender cannot know whether the message was understood.
9. **Poor planning of the message.** Unclear purpose, disorganised content or a message that ignores the audience.

#### Overcoming them
Plan the message, use clear and simple language, choose the right channel, listen actively, ask for feedback and respect cultural differences.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Communication fails when:
   A. The message is sent in writing
   B. The message received is not the message intended
   C. The receiver gives feedback
   D. The message is short
   Answer: B. Failure means the received message differs from the intended one; the causes are called barriers. (Key point: Meaning of failure)

2. Which is a semantic barrier?
   A. Noise in the room
   B. Fear and anger of the receiver
   C. Technical jargon or ambiguous sentences
   D. Too many levels of hierarchy
   Answer: C. Semantic barriers are language problems such as jargon, ambiguity and different meanings of words. (Key point: Semantic barrier)

3. Which is a physical barrier?
   A. Prejudice
   B. Different customs
   C. Wrong assumptions
   D. Noise, distance or faulty equipment
   Answer: D. Physical barriers prevent the message from being heard or seen clearly. (Key point: Physical barrier)

4. Which is a recommended way of overcoming communication barriers?
   A. Plan the message, choose the right channel and ask for feedback
   B. Use complex language to sound professional
   C. Avoid feedback to save time
   D. Send long complex messages by telephone
   Answer: A. Planning, clear language, the right channel, active listening and feedback reduce barriers. (Key point: Overcoming barriers)

## Related in Communication English

- [Edit text: practice and success](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aedit-text-incessant-practices) — Communication English, chapter 3
- [Notice with four-point agenda: technological festival](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Anotice-technological-festival-agenda) — Communication English, chapter 5
- [Interpret: British survey on robots](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-robots-british-survey) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Interpret: avoidable errors and use of words](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-avoidable-errors-in-reasoning) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Notes and summary: heart attack of Valavalkar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Anotes-summary-valavalkar-heart-attack) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Proposal to reduce plastic bag use](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aproposal-reduce-plastic-bags) — Communication English, chapter 6

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- [Case studies of successful and failed enterprises](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fentrepreneurship_development%3Asuccess-and-failure-case-studies) — Entrepreneurship Development, chapter 7
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