an unresolved argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unresolved argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a disagreement or debate that has not been settled or concluded. Example: "The committee left the meeting with an unresolved argument about the budget allocation for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

About how to respond, there is an unresolved argument within the shadow cabinet.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are, at their heart, an unresolved argument about the world as the 43rd president defined it: for worse, for much worse, and then for better.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is an unresolved argument in academic circles about whether the invention of beer was the primary reason that people in Mesopotamia, considered the birthplace of Western civilization about 10,000 years ago, first became agriculturalists.

The New York Times

Whether it's an unresolved argument, an unwillingness to discuss a challenging issue such as household debt or an addiction problem, or a refusal to be responsible for behavior, there is a desire to push the issues back onto you and let the other person off the hook.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

J. Cole portrayed himself as a lover struggling with and against commitment: "Lost Ones" was a bitter, unresolved argument with a pregnant girlfriend.

The New York Times - Arts

It arises from a still unresolved argument about what the function of medicine really is — what, in other words, we should and should not be paying for doctors to do.

The New Yorker

One couple, for example, reported a persistent, unresolved argument over the husband's wish to eat pork buns.

Diabetes Care

These findings provide some insight into an unresolved debate regarding affective independence and primacy (Lazarus, 1984; and see Zajonc, 1984, for the argument for cognitive primacy).

Cognition and Emotion

As for whether aid promotes economic growth, that's a bitter and unresolved argument.

The New York Times

Despite getting into a spirited – and still unresolved – argument mid-film about the motivations of the baliff in Roger and Me, it was the second film, Hoop Dreams, that to this day remains my favourite.

The Guardian - Film

Absent this skill every disagreement becomes an unresolved circular argument until the partners finally give up, blaming incompatibility for the failure.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unresolved argument", ensure the context clearly indicates what the argument is about and why it remains unresolved.

Common error

Avoid using "an unresolved argument" to describe an argument that is actively happening. The phrase suggests the argument has paused or stalled without a conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unresolved argument" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a disagreement that lacks resolution. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from political debates to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unresolved argument" accurately describes a disagreement that remains unsettled, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is a grammatically sound and generally neutral phrase, commonly found in news and media, wiki sources, and scientific contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively communicates the lack of resolution in a given dispute. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the nature of the argument and its lack of conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsettled dispute

Focuses on the 'dispute' aspect, implying a lack of formal resolution.

an ongoing disagreement

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the disagreement.

an open question

Highlights the lack of a definitive answer or conclusion.

an outstanding issue

Focuses on the problem that remains to be solved or agreed upon.

an incomplete debate

Stresses that the debate is still in progress and hasn't reached a conclusion.

a pending decision

Implies that a decision is needed but has not yet been made.

a lingering controversy

Highlights the persistent and often public nature of the disagreement.

an unclosed case

Suggests that the matter is still under investigation or consideration.

a continuing conflict

Focuses on the adversarial aspect of the situation.

an unaddressed concern

Emphasizes that the concern hasn't been taken care of yet.

FAQs

How to use "an unresolved argument" in a sentence?

You can use "an unresolved argument" to describe a disagreement that hasn't been settled. For example, "The committee meeting ended with "an unresolved argument" about funding."

What can I say instead of "an unresolved argument"?

Alternatives include "an unsettled dispute", "an ongoing disagreement", or "an open question" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unresolved argument" or "unresolved issue"?

Both are correct, but "unresolved argument" specifically refers to a disagreement. "Unresolved issue" is broader and can refer to any problem that hasn't been solved.

What does "unresolved" mean in the context of an argument?

In the context of "an unresolved argument", "unresolved" means that the disagreement has not been settled, concluded, or resolved.