unresolved

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unresolved' is a perfectly valid and usable word in written English.
Typically, it is used when speaking about a problem or issue that has not been resolved or settled yet. For example, "The conflict between the two countries remains unresolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All I could see were these unresolved tangency breaks".

The Guardian - Tech

This week's events have exposed the unresolved divisions in the party, and the determination in conservative ranks not to abandon an issue they believe is central to their cause.

The Guardian

Of the 1,243 UK applications pending for judicial assessment at the end of last year, over 1,000 relate to voting rights for prisoners – the unresolved issue that has provoked a bitter stand-off between the UK parliament and the ECHR.

The Guardian

Speaking in Belfast, Villiers had earlier revealed that the power sharing government at Stormont is spending more than £30m per year in relation to unresolved issues of the past conflict.

The Guardian

This was what Dodd calls her "unresolved sadness" and is perhaps a key to both her intensely private nature and also the miraculous intuition of her work, in which she finds people out with her seeing eye and her camera lens.

The Guardian - Arts

It seemed to us that, nationally, its potency was weakening, its bright colours fading, while for us even 30 years on, it was somehow lodged within our DNA as something unresolved and painful.

The Guardian

Their ownership situation remains unresolved, leaving Smith to stress the future success of the team is now at stake.

The Guardian - Sport

Understandably they have little sympathy for the Greeks, especially since five years later the crisis remains unresolved.

The Guardian - Business

Yet there is still unresolved mystery in the denouement, about why Blatter came to make that trembling, halting announcement to stand down four days after he triumphantly hailed his own re-election.

The Guardian - Sport

But Guardian Australia understands the inclusion of this "target range" in a negotiating brief for the Australian delegation to the UN climate conference in Warsaw prompted a lengthy and unresolved discussion in federal Cabinet last Monday and that the matter is due to be discussed again this Monday.

The Guardian

One must also ask how much the disorder has become a convenient repository for the negative emotions you have about your life and relationships, how often other uncomfortable, but unrelated problems are blamed on the "disease", and how many issues are left unresolved because of your condition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unresolved", clearly state what remains unresolved to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unresolved" vaguely; specify what aspect or issue remains "unresolved". For example, instead of saying "The situation is unresolved", specify "The contract dispute remains "unresolved" due to disagreement on payment terms."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unresolved" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that has not been resolved or settled. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in describing issues, conflicts, or mysteries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "unresolved" functions as an adjective to describe something that remains unsettled or without a solution. As Ludwig AI suggests, this word is grammatically sound and used widely across different domains, notably in news media and formal business contexts. As seen from the analysis, it is crucial to provide specificity regarding what is "unresolved" to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity in writing. Alternatives such as "outstanding" or "pending" can be used depending on the specific nuances you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding

Focuses on something that is still pending or needs to be dealt with.

unsettled

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or finality.

pending

Highlights that a decision or resolution is awaiting action.

undecided

Focuses on the lack of a firm decision or conclusion.

unanswered

Highlights that a question or issue has not been addressed.

unsettled

Emphasizes instability or a lack of resolution.

unexplained

Focuses on the lack of a clear reason or understanding.

ongoing

Highlights the continuous nature of an issue that has not been resolved.

lingering

Emphasizes the prolonged existence of a problem or issue.

open

Highlights that a matter is still subject to discussion or debate.

FAQs

How can I use "unresolved" in a sentence?

"Unresolved" typically modifies a noun, indicating that something has not been settled or solved. For example, "The issue of funding remains "unresolved".

What are some alternatives to using "unresolved"?

You can use alternatives like "outstanding", "pending", or "unanswered" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unresolved issues" or "outstanding issues"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "unresolved issues" emphasizes a lack of solution, while "outstanding issues" highlights that the issues are still pending or need to be addressed.

What's the difference between "unresolved" and "unsettled"?

"Unresolved" implies a lack of solution or conclusion, whereas "unsettled" suggests instability or a lack of agreement.