solve a dilemma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solve a dilemma" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the resolution of a difficult situation or choice between two or more options. Example: "The committee had to solve a dilemma regarding the allocation of funds for the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Too often, we look for one overarching solution to solve a dilemma.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Deal with issues by laying all the cards on the table and looking at them together to solve a dilemma rather than digging in on opposing sides.

University of California, Berkeley

So while Agustín Carstens, the finance minister, was delivering to Congress on June 20th the most ambitious economic reform package of Felipe Calderón's six-month-old administration, the president himself was off in Huamantla, a small mountain town 120km (75 miles) east of Mexico City.Mr Calderón's proposals are designed to solve a dilemma.

The Economist

Moreover, biomechanical characterization could solve a dilemma in the staging of breast cancer.

Advances in Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This goes a long way to washing away the bitterness from that visit and solving a dilemma for his brother," said Representative Mark Foley, Republican of Florida.

The New York Times

He believes that doctors have been tasked with solving a dilemma that is not medical but social and structural, the responsibility of the government.

The New Yorker

It's a promo video for Menaker's new book, "A Good Talk: The Story and Skill of Conversation," and I like it because it solves a dilemma Menaker must face often: finding himself talking to someone who's not as good a talker as he is.

The New Yorker

Most important among them is a security update mechanism that should solve a common dilemma.

The Washington Post

And so Robert G. Flanders Jr., a state-appointed receiver who is trying to right the city's finances, found himself on the stage at Central Falls High School on Tuesday, asking retirees to help solve "a horrible dilemma" by giving up a significant part of what they had always assumed was untouchable income.

The New York Times

The challenge of the rom-com is to solve a romantic dilemma and take the audience on the fantastic unpredictable journey along the way.

Huffington Post

As Eden Medina shows in "Cybernetic Revolutionaries," her entertaining history of Project Cybersyn, Beer set out to solve an acute dilemma that Allende faced.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solve a dilemma", ensure the context clearly defines the conflicting choices or challenging situation. Clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "solve a dilemma" for simple problems or inconveniences. A dilemma involves genuinely conflicting options with significant consequences, not just minor issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solve a dilemma" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of finding a resolution to a difficult situation involving conflicting choices. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts like politics, medicine and general problem-solving.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solve a dilemma" is a grammatically sound and comprehensible phrase used to describe the resolution of a complex situation with conflicting choices. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, its usage extends to academic discussions. To ensure effective communication, reserve it for situations genuinely involving difficult choices rather than simple problems. For similar usages, consider alternatives such as "resolve a predicament" or "address a conundrum".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve a predicament

Replaces "dilemma" with "predicament", suggesting a difficult or unpleasant situation.

overcome a challenge

Focuses on the act of overcoming an obstacle, using a more general term.

address a conundrum

Substitutes "dilemma" with "conundrum", implying a puzzling problem.

untangle a knot

Uses a metaphor to represent resolving a complicated issue.

sort out a difficulty

Emphasizes the act of organizing and resolving a problem.

navigate a quandary

Highlights the process of carefully maneuvering through a difficult situation.

rectify a problem

Focuses on correcting or fixing an issue.

fix a snag

Uses a more informal term, "snag", for a minor problem.

remedy a situation

Implies providing a solution to improve an undesirable state.

straighten out a mess

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the problem being resolved.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "solve a dilemma" in a sentence?

Use "solve a dilemma" when you want to express the resolution of a difficult problem involving two or more choices. For example: "The team worked together to solve a dilemma regarding resource allocation."

Are there formal alternatives to "solve a dilemma"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "resolve a predicament" or "address a conundrum" to convey a similar meaning in a more formal setting.

Is it always appropriate to use "solve a dilemma", or are there situations where it's not suitable?

"Solve a dilemma" is most suitable when the situation involves a genuine conflict between options. It's less appropriate for simple problems. In such cases consider something like "rectify a problem".

What's the difference between "solve a dilemma" and "solve a problem"?

"Solve a dilemma" specifically refers to resolving a situation where there are conflicting choices or undesirable outcomes, whereas "solve a problem" is a more general term for finding a solution to any issue.