unresolved difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unresolved difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a disagreement or conflict that has not been settled or resolved. Example: "The team is facing an unresolved difference regarding the project's direction, which needs to be addressed in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The argument between husband and wife hovers in the air, an unresolved difference widened by all the small irritations that accumulate in a long marriage.

The New Yorker

Behind the dispute about whether and how to help Greece, the most egregious violator of the European Union's fiscal rules, lies an unresolved difference between the founders of the Union, Germany and France, about the nature and purpose of the euro.

The New York Times

There is an unresolved difference between those, like Mr Keating, who want greater openness and others, such as Cardinal Mahony, who fear that the revelations are starting to undermine the church's legitimate work.As if the standing of the church could not fall any further, this week also saw the arrest of the bishop of Phoenix.

The Economist

A yet unresolved difference in the number and the type of RM systems between commensal and dairy LAB has been previously observed [ 40, 41].

BMC Genomics

Also, all the discrepant results concerned largely exploratory subgroup analyses done within a framework of multiple significance testing and arguably, an α-level higher than 5% would be more appropriate: at α=1%, the only unresolved difference is for patients on β-blockers alone.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Both soluble and full-length TRAIL bind to their cognate cell surface receptors in the target cell to engage the apoptotic pathway (Ashkinazi et al, 1999) although the two TRAIL variants have been reported to possess different apoptosis-inducing capacities in cancer cells suggesting currently unresolved differences in their mechanism of action (Voelkel-Johnson et al, 2002; Seol et al, 2003).

British Journal of Cancer

Even so, Mr. Topolanek's comments during a speech to the European Parliament underscored unresolved differences.

The New York Times

There are major unresolved differences including over the future of Mr Assad.

Independent

Serbia and Montenegro still have important but unresolved differences about their rights and relationship under the federal constitution.

Yale University

While the latter has yet to be implemented because of unresolved differences, the IAEA process went smoothly enough for most of 1992.

The Guardian

But the governments also have unresolved differences on matters of trade, energy, water and the management of their 2,000-mile 2,000-mileder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unresolved difference", ensure the context clearly indicates what the difference pertains to, and its impact. For example: "The unresolved difference in budget allocation stalled the project."

Common error

Avoid using "unresolved difference" without specifying the nature of the difference. A sentence like "There's an unresolved difference" lacks clarity. Always clarify the subject of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unresolved difference" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of disagreement or contention that has not been resolved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unresolved difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe an outstanding disagreement that has yet to be settled. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business environments. While interchangeable with terms such as "outstanding dispute" or "lingering disagreement", using "unresolved difference" ensures clarity and directness in expressing the need for resolution. Pay close attention to providing a clear context to avoid vagueness. Although not very common, it remains a reliable phrase for expressing outstanding disagreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolved conflict

A more direct synonym, simply replacing "difference" with "conflict".

unsettled disagreement

Focuses on the aspect of the disagreement that remains not settled or solved.

outstanding dispute

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the disagreement and its prominence.

lingering dispute

Highlights the prolonged existence of a dispute that has not been resolved.

lingering disagreement

This phrase highlights the prolonged existence of the difference.

unsettled issue

This alternative focuses on the lack of a final decision or resolution.

ongoing conflict

This phrase emphasizes the active and continuous nature of the disagreement.

pending resolution

This alternative focuses on the expectation that the difference will be resolved in the future.

unreconciled viewpoints

This phrase highlights the inability of differing perspectives to find common ground.

discordant opinions

This alternative stresses the lack of harmony or agreement in perspectives.

FAQs

How can I use "unresolved difference" in a sentence?

You can use "unresolved difference" to describe a disagreement or conflict that has not been settled. For example, "The parties involved still have an "unresolved difference" regarding the contract terms."

What's a good alternative to "unresolved difference"?

Alternatives include "outstanding dispute", "lingering disagreement", or "unsettled issue", depending on the specific context.

Is "unresolved difference" formal or informal?

"Unresolved difference" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using "outstanding dispute" for added emphasis.

What is the difference between "unresolved difference" and "unresolved conflict"?

While similar, "unresolved difference" implies a disagreement of opinion or perspective, while "unresolved conflict" suggests a more active and potentially hostile disagreement. The choice depends on the intensity of the situation.