contrive a solution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrive a solution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of devising or creating a solution to a problem, often implying a degree of creativity or ingenuity. Example: "After hours of brainstorming, the team was finally able to contrive a solution to the complex issue they were facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

No matter how daunting the problem, you contrived a solution," reads Bacevich's letter.

Huffington Post

And he has contrived a deft solution for combining the affairs of ants and men.

The New York Times - Science

Then we contrive a simplified semidefinite programming (SDP) solution based on the error covariance matrix decomposition technique, avoiding the high complexity of the iterative process.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Sonic Youth did contrive a history of canny decisions.

The New Yorker

We may need to contrive a way to avoid contaminant, e.g., introducing heaters.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

"Only with wildest of imagination can I contrive a set of facts that would explain it".

Los Angeles Times

Federer, 31 and seeking a record eighth Wimbledon title, would have to contrive an escape.

The New York Times - Magazine

Therefore, the guarantee to solving issues in oil well drilling is to contrive an optimal drilling fluid.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Thus, we contrived an antegrade infusion of cardioplegic solution using a transient SVG to RCA in addition to the conventional combination of the antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia to make RV muscle protection more complete.

Surgical Case Reports

Hamlet contrives a plan to test the ghost's accusation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he contrived a little magic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrive a solution" when you want to emphasize the ingenuity or creativity involved in devising a solution, particularly when the problem is complex or challenging.

Common error

Avoid using "contrive a solution" in everyday scenarios where a simpler term like "find a solution" would suffice. "Contrive" implies a level of complexity or artifice that might be inappropriate for routine problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrive a solution" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "contrive" is the verb indicating the action of creating or devising something, and "a solution" is the object, specifying what is being created. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrive a solution" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of devising a solution to a problem, often with an emphasis on creativity or ingenuity. As indicated by Ludwig, it's suitable for written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in reliable sources across News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, suggesting its acceptability in diverse professional and academic settings. The related phrases like "devise a solution" or "formulate a solution" offer similar meanings with slight nuances in formality and emphasis. When using the phrase, it's best practice to reserve it for situations where the problem-solving process genuinely involves a degree of inventiveness, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devise a solution

Implies a more thoughtful and planned approach to creating a solution.

formulate a solution

Suggests a more structured and systematic approach to developing a solution.

create a solution

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the act of making a solution.

develop a solution

Highlights the process of building or refining a solution over time.

engineer a solution

Implies a technical or skillful approach to crafting a solution.

craft a solution

Suggests a more artistic or delicate approach to finding a solution.

invent a solution

Highlights the novelty and originality of the solution.

work out a solution

Emphasizes the effort and problem-solving involved in reaching a solution.

find a solution

Focuses on the act of discovering a solution that already exists.

come up with a solution

A more informal way of saying to think of or discover a solution.

FAQs

How can I use "contrive a solution" in a sentence?

You can use "contrive a solution" when you want to emphasize the creative and somewhat inventive aspect of finding an answer to a difficult problem. For example: "The team had to contrive a solution to meet the tight deadline."

What are some alternatives to "contrive a solution"?

Alternatives include "devise a solution", "formulate a solution", or "engineer a solution" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What does "contrive" imply in the phrase "contrive a solution"?

The word "contrive" implies that the solution required some degree of ingenuity, inventiveness or skill to create, often in the face of challenges or difficulties.

Is "contrive a solution" formal or informal?

"Contrive a solution" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic contexts where the complexity of the problem-solving process is being emphasized.