resolve the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resolve the difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of settling a disagreement or finding a solution to a discrepancy between two or more parties. Example: "In order to move forward with the project, we need to resolve the difference in our opinions regarding the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

In cases where grading was different between the two evaluators, a third surgeon was called to resolve the difference.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

For subjects whose inferred haplotypes were different based on these two methods, manual inspection was performed to resolve the difference, with priority given to haplotypes based on linkage disequilibrium among markers in this study population.

Human Genetics

It was impossible to resolve the difference in the counts.

The New York Times

Negotiators were planning to meet through the night to try to resolve the difference.

The Guardian

However, both agreed that evidence won't resolve the difference because meaningful coincidences can't be studied statistically.

The Guardian - Opinion

As in every case, a higher court will eventually resolve the difference of opinions".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Further studies that show acute overexpression of MYC in an inducible fashion in different mouse strains may help resolve the differences seen between these results.

Plosone

The House and Senate have passed bills reauthorizing the act, but each bill is different, which requires a conference committee to resolve the differences.

Science Magazine

A joint conference committee is trying to resolve the differences.

The New York Times

The conference committee will begin next week to resolve the differences in size and policy.

The New York Times

House and Senate conferees are now trying to resolve the differences in the two budget proposals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "resolve the difference", ensure the context clearly identifies the parties or elements between which the difference exists. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "resolve the difference" without specifying what the difference refers to. Always provide sufficient context to ensure your audience understands the specific issue being addressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resolve the difference" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of solving or settling a discrepancy or disagreement. Ludwig shows that the phrase is commonly used to describe efforts to reconcile conflicting viewpoints or data.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science & Research

6%

Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resolve the difference" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of settling disagreements or clarifying discrepancies. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in both scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key, and providing context is essential to ensure the audience understands the specific issue being addressed. While alternatives like ""settle the dispute"" or ""iron out the difference"" exist, the best choice depends on the particular nuances of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settle the difference

Focuses on reaching a final agreement or resolution that concludes the disagreement.

iron out the difference

Emphasizes the process of smoothing out the inconsistencies or discrepancies until they are resolved.

reconcile the difference

Highlights restoring harmony or compatibility between conflicting elements.

bridge the gap

Suggests creating a connection or common ground to overcome the division or disparity.

overcome the difference

Focuses on successfully surpassing the obstacles or challenges posed by the difference.

address the discrepancy

Highlights focusing on and dealing with the inconsistencies in a specific situation.

sort out the problem

Focuses on addressing a problem caused by the difference and finding the best way to get rid of the problem.

find common ground

Emphasizes the action of finding agreement to solve a difficult question.

reach a compromise

Stresses the importance of understanding and negotiating to solve the conflict.

bring into accord

Highlights the goal of achieving alignment or agreement between differing parties or perspectives.

FAQs

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

You can use "resolve the difference" to describe the act of settling a disagreement or discrepancy. For example, "The negotiators met to "settle the difference" between the two countries' trade policies."

What are some alternatives to "resolve the difference"?

Some alternatives to "resolve the difference" include "iron out the difference", "settle the dispute", or "bridge the gap". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "resolve the difference" or "resolve the differences"?

The choice between "difference" and "differences" depends on whether you are referring to a single, specific point of disagreement or multiple points. If there are multiple issues, "differences" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "resolve the difference" and "address the difference"?

"Resolve the difference" implies finding a solution or agreement, while "address the difference" simply means to acknowledge and deal with the discrepancy without necessarily finding a solution.