to solve

USAGE SUMMARY

"to solve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to mean attempting to resolve a problem or mystery. For example, "The police have been working tirelessly to solve the missing person case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They want to solve problems.

The New York Times

We want to solve it".

The New York Times

The ability to solve problems.

The New York Times

"I'm going to solve this.

The New Yorker

We're going to solve it".

The New York Times

We try to solve quarrels.

The Economist

There's no problem to solve.

The New York Times

How to solve it?

The Guardian - Sport

Many crimes to solve.

The Guardian - Travel

To solve a problem.

The Guardian

No problem to solve.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to solve", ensure the context clearly defines the problem you are attempting to resolve. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to solve" without specifying the problem. Instead of saying "We need to solve this", clarify with "We need to solve the budget deficit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to solve" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, aiming to address or resolve specific problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Science & Research

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to solve" is a grammatically correct and very common infinitive phrase used to express the intent of finding a solution to a problem. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While versatile, specifying the problem enhances clarity. Alternatives such as "to resolve" or "to figure out" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage, making it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to resolve

A more formal synonym for "to solve", often used in official or technical contexts. It implies a greater degree of finality.

to figure out

A more informal alternative to "to solve", suggesting a process of discovery or understanding.

to work out

Similar to "to figure out", but often implies a more mathematical or logical approach.

to find a solution

Emphasizes the outcome of the problem-solving process, rather than the process itself.

to address

Implies taking action to deal with a problem, often in a public or official setting.

to deal with

Suggests handling or managing a problem, rather than necessarily finding a perfect solution.

to sort out

Implies organizing or clarifying a confusing situation.

to unravel

Suggests disentangling a complex problem to understand it better.

to crack

Informal and implies breaking through a tough or difficult problem.

to get to the bottom of

Suggests investigating a problem thoroughly to find the root cause.

FAQs

How can I use "to solve" in a sentence?

You can use "to solve" to indicate an intention or action aimed at finding a solution to a problem. For example, "The team is working hard "to solve" the technical issues".

What are some alternatives to "to solve"?

Alternatives include "to resolve", "to figure out", or "to address", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what problem I am trying "to solve"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the problem enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "We need "to solve" it", specify "We need "to solve" the network connectivity issue".

What is the difference between "to solve" and "to resolve"?

While both imply finding a solution, ""to solve"" often refers to finding a specific answer to a defined problem, whereas ""to resolve"" can imply a more comprehensive settlement of a dispute or conflict.