reconcile differences

USAGE SUMMARY

'reconcile differences' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two people or groups have different opinions or ideas and you want to show that they can come to an agreement. For example, "The two sides managed to reconcile their differences and come to an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The findings reported here reconcile differences between different lab groups that have used either human or mouse N-terminal constructs of cMyBP-C.

Biochemistry

To reconcile differences in these different sources of regulatory network information (literature, Ingenuity, Pathway Studio), we only included an interaction in our network if it could be identified in two out of the three resources.

BMC Systems Biology

Lawmakers will have to reconcile differences.

The New York Times

He urged Congress to swiftly reconcile differences on the legislation.

The New York Times

House and Senate negotiators immediately began meeting to reconcile differences between their respective bills.

The New York Times

Not only birthdays and weddings, but of rituals designed to reconcile differences and resolve conflicts.

The Guardian

China must still reconcile differences in individual agreements it has made with members of the organization, a time-consuming process.

The New York Times

"I have not seen him reach out to try to reconcile differences between competing groups, have you?" Mr. McCall asked.

The New York Times

"You always want to reconcile differences through negotiation if you possibly can," he said at news conference on Staten Island.

The New York Times

Congressional negotiators and their aides have been meeting for more than a week to reconcile differences between the two versions.

The New York Times

Then, Mr. Feingold said, his provision would have to be accepted at the conference committee, where House and Senate budget writers try to reconcile differences in their proposals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reconcile differences", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the differences are and who or what is being reconciled. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "reconcile differences" when the goal is not to find agreement or resolution, but simply to acknowledge or understand the differences. "Acknowledge differences" or "understand diverse perspectives" might be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reconcile differences" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to resolve disagreements or inconsistencies. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It implies bringing opposing elements into harmony or agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reconcile differences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies the act of resolving disagreements or inconsistencies. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It appears most often in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "resolve conflicts" and "settle disagreements", it’s important to ensure its usage aligns with the intention to find genuine agreement, rather than simply acknowledging divergence. When used properly, "reconcile differences" effectively communicates efforts to harmonize viewpoints or correct discrepancies, fostering clearer communication and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve conflicts

Focuses specifically on settling disputes, suggesting a more adversarial starting point.

settle disagreements

Emphasizes reaching an agreement after a difference of opinion.

iron out differences

Suggests a process of smoothing over inconsistencies or minor disagreements.

bridge the gap

Implies creating a connection between differing viewpoints or positions.

find common ground

Highlights the discovery of shared beliefs or interests to overcome division.

bring into accord

Formal way of saying to make agreement, often implies bringing parties into harmony.

reach a compromise

Focuses on mutual concessions to achieve a resolution.

harmonize opinions

Implies creating a state of agreement or consistency among different views.

mediate disputes

Involves an intermediary to facilitate the resolution of disagreements.

negotiate a settlement

Highlights the bargaining process to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "reconcile differences" in a sentence?

You can use "reconcile differences" to show that people or groups can come to an agreement. For example, "The two sides managed to "reconcile differences" and come to an agreement."

What are some alternatives to saying "reconcile differences"?

Alternatives include "resolve conflicts", "settle disagreements", or "bridge the gap" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reconcile differences" or "resolve differences"?

Both "reconcile differences" and "resolve differences" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Reconcile" suggests restoring harmony, while "resolve" simply means to solve or settle. Choose the word that best fits the situation.

What does it mean to "reconcile differences" in accounting?

In accounting, to "reconcile differences" means to compare two sets of records to ensure that they are in agreement. For example, a company might "reconcile differences" between its bank statement and its internal accounting records.