resolve a contradiction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resolve a contradiction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of finding a solution or explanation that reconciles conflicting statements or ideas. Example: "In her research, she aimed to resolve a contradiction between the two theories presented in the literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The F.A.A. is also trying to resolve a contradiction between new advice to pilots on how and when to use the rudder, and existing instructions on what to do if a control panel warning indicates that the landing gear has not locked into place.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The problem, to vastly simplify Mr. Arnott's complex analysis, stems from the fact that investors in recent years failed to resolve a fundamental contradiction.

The New York Times

Expansive transformation refers to a process through which an activity system expands its capability by redesigning its own structure and changing its actions in order to resolve a challenging contradiction.

Security Informatics

Finally, a pardon would resolve a glaring contradiction in how the White House has dealt with alleged crimes by national security officials.

Los Angeles Times

The present findings resolve an intriguing contradiction [5]: whether right SPL activity makes the perceptual alternations of a bistable stimulus faster or slower depends on the precise location within this region that one looks.

Current Biology

To prove that reality, however, these schools need to explain how they have resolved a fundamental contradiction: on the one hand, the elites know that in order to compete effectively they must lower their standards not only for their students' academic performance, but also for the physical risks inherent in school-sponsored student activities.

Huffington Post

The Gamburtsevs rose from the long eroded East Antarctic craton". The study also resolves an apparent contradiction: how could such ancient mountains have retained their tall, jagged, and youthful peaks, said study co-author Carol Finn, a scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey.

Columbia University

However ℓ ∈ M x wx ; therefore we still have ℓ ∈  C jk and the edge still cannot resolve the quartet, a contradiction.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

At the very least, we might thank Palmer for seeming to have resolved an otherwise irresolvable contradiction, by bringing together in outrage the investors and the musicians, ownership and labor.

The New Yorker

To resolve the contradiction, Mr. Manghezi and a handful of others decided to start selling shares in Christiania.

The New York Times

To resolve this contradiction, we used a different BEC fate-tracing model, Ck19-CreER R26R-RFP miCk19-CreER R26R-RFP

Cell Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "resolve a contradiction", ensure that you clearly define the contradiction you are addressing to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid claiming that you have completely eliminated a contradiction if you have only partially addressed it. Use more nuanced language to reflect the degree to which the contradiction has been resolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resolve a contradiction" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It indicates the action of finding a solution to an inconsistency. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable, illustrated by diverse examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resolve a contradiction" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used across numerous domains, including news, science, and academia. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While "solve" can sometimes be used interchangeably, "resolve" often implies a more nuanced handling of the inconsistency. The examples show that mastering how to "resolve a contradiction" involves clearly defining the conflicting elements and presenting logical arguments or evidence to support a resolution, while being careful not to overstate the extent of the resolution achieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reconcile conflicting ideas

Focuses on bringing opposing ideas into harmony, changing the emphasis from resolving a contradiction to harmonizing differing views.

address an inconsistency

Highlights the act of dealing with something that doesn't align or agree, differing slightly in that it focuses on the inconsistency itself rather than the act of resolving it.

iron out a disparity

Emphasizes the process of smoothing out differences or inequalities, which might involve actions beyond merely resolving a contradiction.

eliminate a conflict

Stresses the removal of the conflict, changing the perspective slightly from finding a solution to eradication.

rectify an anomaly

Involves correcting something that deviates from the norm, which is a slightly different take than directly resolving a contradiction.

clear up a discrepancy

Centers on making a difference or inconsistency clear, rather than necessarily resolving the entire contradiction.

settle a paradox

Specifically addresses a seemingly self-contradictory statement or situation, which is a more specific term than resolving a general contradiction.

explain away a contradiction

Suggests providing an explanation to dismiss the contradiction, rather than fully resolving it.

harmonize opposing viewpoints

Centers on creating agreement between different viewpoints, which is more collaborative than resolving a contradiction.

find common ground

Focuses on discovering shared beliefs or interests in order to resolve a disagreement. Not strictly a synonym but it refers to a way of "resolving a contradiction".

FAQs

How can I use "resolve a contradiction" in a sentence?

You can use "resolve a contradiction" to describe the act of finding a solution or explanation that eliminates conflicting elements. For example, "The research aimed to resolve a contradiction between the observed data and the theoretical model".

What are some alternatives to "resolve a contradiction"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "address an inconsistency", "reconcile conflicting ideas", or "iron out a disparity".

Is it better to say "solve a contradiction" or "resolve a contradiction"?

Both "solve a contradiction" and "resolve a contradiction" are acceptable, but "resolve" is generally preferred in more formal contexts. "Solve" tends to imply a more definitive and complete answer, while "resolve" suggests managing or clarifying the contradiction.

What does it mean to "resolve contradictions" in philosophical or logical terms?

In philosophy and logic, to "resolve contradictions" means to find a way to reconcile seemingly incompatible ideas or statements, often by identifying a deeper understanding or a more nuanced framework that eliminates the apparent conflict.