reconcile the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'reconcile the difference' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the process of reaching an agreement between two parties who disagree. Example sentence: After much discussion, the two sides were able to reconcile the difference and come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The computer can't reconcile the difference, or permit the [co-pilot] to fly normally from the right seat when there is a problem" with the pilot's control display.

The Washington Post

It's only hard to reconcile the difference between the two views if you accept that Spurr was, as he asserts, playing a "whimsical linguistic game".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not clear how to reconcile the difference in the accounts of how many detainees are participating in the hunger strike.

The New York Times

The net result was the prospect that the Senate and the House will have passed different temporary spending bills and that the Senate will have to return later this week to reconcile the difference.

The New York Times

The brain gets disoriented trying to reconcile the difference between the distance to the image and the foreshortened viewing angle.

Forbes

Asked about the disparity, Northrop officials questioned whether the figures were directly comparable and said they could not immediately reconcile the difference.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"He [the complainant] could not reconcile the differences," Wallington said.

The Guardian

After months of delay, a conference committee will meet later this month to reconcile the differences.

The New York Times

That left Republicans scrambling to reconcile the differences between the approaches of the two men.

The New York Times

Their contrasting moods are so antithetical that it's hard to reconcile the differences.

The Times

And we haven't yet figured out how to reconcile the differences.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reconcile the difference" when you want to convey the act of finding a way to make two conflicting things consistent with each other.

Common error

Avoid using "reconcile the difference" when simply describing differences without an attempt to resolve them. The phrase implies an active effort to bring things into agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reconcile the difference" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of resolving discrepancies or inconsistencies. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, as demonstrated by various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reconcile the difference" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the action of resolving discrepancies or disagreements. Ludwig AI validates its usability. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears across various authoritative sources, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. It's often used in professional settings, suggesting a neutral to professional register. For those seeking alternative expressions, consider phrases like "resolve the discrepancy" or "bridge the divide", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve the discrepancy

Focuses on correcting an inconsistency or error in accounts or information.

bridge the divide

Emphasizes reducing the gap or disagreement between two parties or ideas.

iron out the disparities

Suggests smoothing out inconsistencies through discussion and negotiation.

settle the variance

Addresses the act of adjusting the state of disagreement and accepting what is left.

harmonize the viewpoints

Implies bringing different perspectives into agreement or alignment.

find common ground

Means to establish an area of shared interest or agreement.

bring into accord

Formal way to say to cause to agree; harmonize.

reach a consensus

Means to come to a general agreement.

adjust for differences

Adjust for the ways in which people or things are dissimilar.

accommodate conflicting opinions

Means to fit in with the existing opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "reconcile the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "reconcile the difference" when you want to express the action of resolving an inconsistency or disagreement. For instance: "The committee tried to reconcile the difference between the two proposals".

What is a more formal alternative to "reconcile the difference"?

A more formal alternative could be "resolve the discrepancy", which is often used when dealing with data or factual inconsistencies.

What is the difference between "reconcile the difference" and "resolve the difference"?

While both phrases imply addressing a discrepancy, "reconcile the difference" often suggests bringing opposing ideas or accounts into agreement, whereas "resolve the difference" might simply mean finding a solution to a problem.

Is it appropriate to use "reconcile the difference" in informal writing?

While not strictly informal, "reconcile the difference" is more common in professional or news contexts. In informal writing, you might opt for simpler phrases like "sort out the issue" or "work things out".