settlement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settlement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as legal agreements, financial transactions, or resolving disputes. Example: "The parties reached a settlement after several months of negotiations, agreeing on the terms to resolve the dispute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Grade was always less convinced of the need or wisdom of the move to Manchester and made little secret of his view that it would be the first casualty of a low licence fee settlement.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Scotland (where the history and devolution settlement are, of course, very different) the nationalists have become the dominant party.

The Guardian

But what does it all mean as Europe gently frazzles and David Goodhart, ex-editor of Prospect, now director of the Demos thinktank, pens an ambitious FT article (paywall) promoting a new settlement for British politics, what he calls "post-liberalism"?

The Guardian

Purnell said the BBC had been forced to cut back on the range of services it offers following the 2010 funding settlement, which froze the licence fee at £145.50 until 2017, including axing original daytime programmes on BBC2, and the decision, yet to be formally submitted to the BBC Trust, to axe the BBC3 TV channel.

The Guardian

Just before Easter, News Corp Australia reached a confidential settlement with the human rights lawyer George Newhouse over an allegedly defamatory article by its star columnist and host of Ten's The Bolt Report, Andrew Bolt.

The Guardian

But, of course, ultimately the solution lies in a political settlement.

The Guardian

A military source said the shooting took place around the Damboa road near the small settlement of Mule, about six miles (10km) from Maiduguri, a city of 2 million people.

The Guardian

She expressed her regret that some parties in the Assembly remained opposed to the NCA operating with its full range of powers in Northern Ireland but said that the "UK government completely accepts the crucial importance of ensuring that NCA's operations in Northern Ireland are fully consistent with the devolution settlement.

The Guardian

A collaboration between the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the British and American Red Cross, Missing Maps aims to use remote mapping to develop free, open-source maps for every settlement on Earth – particularly those areas prone to disaster and diseases such as Ebola.

The Guardian

But with the current licence fee settlement due to come under review in the next parliament, the broadcaster has come under fire from Conservatives who accuse it of a liberal bias.

The Guardian

Asked about domestic opposition to the deal, the White House said it was not opposed to Congress providing oversight over the final settlement, but was vehemently opposed to legislation that would either empower the legislature to approve the deal or otherwise prevent officials from finalising the detail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "settlement" in legal or financial contexts, be specific about the type of settlement (e.g., "financial settlement", "legal settlement") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "settlement" when you actually mean "set up" or "establishment". "Settlement" implies resolution or a place where people live, while "set up" suggests the act of creating or arranging something.

Linguistic Context

"Settlement" functions primarily as a noun. It can denote a formal agreement to resolve a dispute, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, or a place where people establish a community. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the word's usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "settlement" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, ranging from a resolution of a dispute to a newly established community. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is high, especially in news and formal business contexts. When writing, be mindful of the specific context to ensure clarity, and consider alternatives like "agreement", "resolution", or "colony" where appropriate. While the word is acceptable in different contexts, be careful not to confuse it with "set up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispute resolution

Specifically refers to the process of resolving disagreements, differing from the general term "settlement".

resolution of conflict

More explicitly highlights the resolution of a dispute, while "settlement" can be broader.

resolution

Focuses specifically on the act of resolving a dispute or problem, differing from "settlement" which can also refer to a place or agreement.

legal closure

Focuses on the legal aspect of finalizing an agreement, differing from the more general term "settlement".

agreement

Emphasizes the mutual understanding and consent reached by parties, while "settlement" can also imply a formal conclusion.

territorial agreement

Specifies that the settlement involves land or territory, making it more specific than a general "settlement".

accord

Implies a harmonious agreement or consensus, whereas "settlement" may involve compromise.

colony

Specifically denotes a newly established community or region, a more specific meaning than the broader term "settlement".

village

Refers to a small community or group of houses in a rural area, a specific type of "settlement".

community

Highlights the social aspect of a group of people living together, while "settlement" focuses on the place itself.

FAQs

How can I use "settlement" in a sentence?

You can use "settlement" to refer to a resolution of a dispute, as in "The parties reached a "settlement" after long negotiations", or to a place where people live, as in "The new "settlement" thrived due to its fertile land".

What are some alternatives to the word "settlement"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "agreement", "resolution", "colony", or "community" instead of "settlement".

What does "settlement" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "settlement" typically refers to an out-of-court agreement between parties to resolve a dispute, such as a lawsuit, without going to trial.

What is the difference between a "settlement" and a "resolution"?

While both terms involve resolving an issue, a ""settlement"" often implies a compromise or mutual concession, whereas a "resolution" can mean a more decisive or unilateral solution.