resolve the puzzle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resolve the puzzle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to finding a solution or answer to a problem or challenge, often in the context of games, riddles, or complex situations. Example: "After hours of thinking, I finally managed to resolve the puzzle that had been bothering me for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Castaneda helps resolve the puzzle.

The New York Times - Books

After about a month, he could resolve the puzzle at will.

The Guardian - Tech

If correct, this helps resolve the puzzle of resilient employment and suggests America's labour market is less tight than it appears.Another sign of a faltering jobs market is a decline, in recent months, in the share of population that is willing to work.

The Economist

And since none of us can get off the universe to command the view from nowhere that might resolve the puzzle once and for all, we are caught, as Matthew Arnold expressed it, "… as on a darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, / Where ignorant armies clash by night".

The Guardian - Books

How philosophers resolve the puzzle turns on a central issue in moral psychology, namely, whether what is called the Humean theory of motivation is true.

SEP

Trying to resolve the puzzle, three researchers--Richard Cifelli of the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman; Zhexi Luo of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska of the Polish Academy of Sciences--examined the bones and teeth of 21 living and fossil mammals.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Some have gone as far as to say that traditional metaphysics is no more than the result of misunderstanding everyday discourse and that the main purpose of philosophy is to resolve the puzzles that arise from such misunderstandings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Within this framework, it is easy to resolve the puzzles we addressed at the top of the section.

SEP

This use of decoherence would arguably resolve the puzzles discussed, e.g., by Holland (1996) with regard to the possibility of a 'classical limit' of de Broglie's theory.

SEP

Faced by such an alliance it seems safe to predict that Colombia will not win its FTA any time soon.The quarrel in Washington highlights the difficulty Americans have in resolving the puzzle of Colombia's leader.

The Economist

Despite the success of Dr. Greenberg's comparative method in resolving the puzzle of African language relationships, when he applied the same method to the languages of the Americas in 1987, the specialists in the field derided his analysis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "resolve the puzzle", ensure the context involves a problem or situation that requires careful thought and understanding to find a solution. It's best suited for scenarios where the solution isn't immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "resolve the puzzle" for everyday problems that don't require significant intellectual effort. Opt for simpler phrases like "solve the problem" or "find the answer" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resolve the puzzle" functions as a verb phrase, where "resolve" acts as the main verb and "the puzzle" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resolve the puzzle" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase referring to the act of finding a solution to a complex problem. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and applicable across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. While not extremely common, it's a versatile expression suitable for formal and informal communication. Consider alternatives like "solve the mystery" or "figure out the problem" for nuanced meaning. Avoid overusing it in simple, straightforward situations. Overall, this phrase provides a clear and effective way to describe intellectual problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solve the mystery

Replaces "puzzle" with "mystery", implying a hidden or unknown aspect that needs to be uncovered.

figure out the problem

Substitutes "resolve" with "figure out" and "puzzle" with "problem", focusing on finding a solution to a difficulty.

decipher the enigma

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "resolve" with "decipher" and "puzzle" with "enigma", suggesting a complex and obscure problem.

unravel the riddle

Replaces "resolve" with "unravel" and "puzzle" with "riddle", implying a question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer.

get to the bottom of the issue

Shifts the focus to understanding the root cause of a problem, using more idiomatic language.

work out the solution

Emphasizes the process of finding a solution through effort and calculation.

find the answer

Offers a more straightforward and general alternative, suitable for simpler puzzles or problems.

crack the code

Suggests breaking a secret or overcoming a challenge that is presented in a coded or complex way.

illuminate the matter

Replaces "resolve" with "illuminate" which suggest bringing clarity and understanding to a confused situation.

make sense of things

Offer a broad meaning as in understanding general things or a situation.

FAQs

What does "resolve the puzzle" mean?

The phrase "resolve the puzzle" means to find a solution to a confusing or complicated problem. It implies a process of careful thought and understanding to arrive at an answer.

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

You can use "resolve the puzzle" in a sentence like this: "The detective worked tirelessly to resolve the puzzle of the missing artifact".

What are some alternatives to "resolve the puzzle"?

You can use alternatives like "solve the mystery", "figure out the problem", or "unravel the riddle" depending on the context.

Is "resolve the puzzle" formal or informal?

"Resolve the puzzle" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to be used more in writing than in casual conversation. The formality depends on the surrounding language and the specific situation.