could not resolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not resolve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a problem or issue could not be fixed or clarified. Example: "After several attempts to troubleshoot the issue, we concluded that we could not resolve the error in the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two companies could not resolve differences over pricing.

The New York Times - Tech

But, it could not resolve all the critical peaks in such complex matrix.

Journal of Chromatography A

It could not resolve the competing claims of security and airport efficiency.

The Economist

That proved to be a debate Mr. Obama could not resolve.

The New York Times

He and legislative leaders could not resolve all their differences, and he vetoed the bill.

The New York Times

I might still have people dying because I could not resolve my issues with the feds".

The New York Times

Mr. Annan said that the antagonists, left to themselves, could not resolve the issue.

The New York Times

"Its embarrassing that we could not resolve this ourselves," said one government official.

The Guardian

Still, there were some problems she could not resolve for them.

The Washington Post

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) could not resolve the presence of bubbles in any of the helium-implanted single crystal SiC.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

It is unfortunate that the Senate could not resolve this issue before adjourning for its winter break".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not resolve", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific problem or issue remained unresolved. Providing specifics enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "could not resolve" implies complete failure. It might mean partial progress was made, but a full resolution wasn't achieved. Be specific about the degree of success or failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not resolve" functions as a negative transitive verb phrase. It expresses the inability to find a solution or settlement to a particular issue or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not resolve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the inability to find a solution or settlement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "could not" be resolved. Alternatives like ""failed to resolve"" or "were unable to resolve" can be used to add nuance. While the phrase is generally neutral, being mindful of the surrounding vocabulary can help tailor it to specific formal or informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to resolve

This alternative replaces "could not" with "failed to", which emphasizes the lack of success in resolving something.

were unable to resolve

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the lack of capability to resolve something.

proved unable to resolve

This alternative highlights that after a certain period or attempt, the inability to resolve became evident.

did not manage to resolve

This alternative indicates a lack of success despite an attempt or effort made to resolve something.

was incapable of resolving

This alternative emphasizes the inherent inability to resolve, suggesting a lack of the necessary capacity.

found no way to resolve

This alternative suggests that a search for a solution was conducted, but without success.

reached an impasse

This alternative indicates a situation where progress or resolution has become impossible.

could not find a solution

This alternative focuses specifically on the absence of a solution.

remained unresolved

This alternative implies that the matter continued without a resolution being reached.

was left outstanding

This alternative suggests that the issue was left unfinished or not dealt with.

FAQs

How can I use "could not resolve" in a sentence?

Use "could not resolve" to indicate an inability to find a solution to a problem or disagreement. For example, "The negotiators "failed to resolve" the dispute despite several attempts".

What are some alternatives to using "could not resolve"?

You can use phrases like "were unable to resolve", "did not manage to resolve", or "found no way to resolve" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "could not resolve" or "failed to resolve"?

Both "could not resolve" and ""failed to resolve"" are grammatically correct, but "failed to resolve" emphasizes the lack of success, while "could not resolve" simply states the inability to find a solution.

What's the difference between "could not resolve" and "could not be resolved"?

"Could not resolve" implies an active attempt to find a solution that was unsuccessful, while "could not be resolved" suggests that the issue was inherently unresolvable or that no attempt was made. The latter focuses on the inherent difficulty rather than the effort.