was able to resolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to resolve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone successfully dealt with or fixed a problem or issue. Example: "After several hours of troubleshooting, the technician was able to resolve the network connectivity issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asymmetric Fc crystallization was able to resolve the interface mutations; the heterodimer structures confirmed that the interfaces formed as designed.

Structure

"I called up the trust, and within seconds I was able to resolve the issue," he said.

The New York Times

"HarperCollins is gratified that it was able to resolve the dispute in this way," Ms. Crum said.

The New York Times

What generates these bands is not yet known, however, the MMG wavelet analysis was able to resolve them, and is therefore applicable to non-stationary MMG signals.

Biomedical Signal Processing and Control

The distributions obtained for these variables were tightly linked to the physical forcing at the different scales that the sampling design was able to resolve.

Journal of Marine Systems

The newly designed electrophoresis unit was able to resolve the Lambda DNA fragments so that seven bands with an acceptable resolution were observed.

Medical Engineering & Physics

He was able to resolve the charges with no jail time, and two years later, he took a job at King High School.

The New York Times

Whereas many GPs might automatically make a referral, Levitt, referral management lead at Wandsworth clinical commissioning group (CCG), was able to resolve the question quickly.

The Guardian

Thus, our hybrid approach, combining simulations and experiments, was able to resolve the two closely related conformations that confounded previous structural studies.

Nature

But the ship was lost off Newfoundland in waters some two and a half miles deep, and no author or naval detective was able to resolve the mystery.

The New York Times - Science

"In the end, I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one," Mr. Daniels wrote in an overnight message to supporters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was able to resolve", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific problem or issue was successfully addressed. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was able to resolve" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The issue was able to be resolved by the team", try "The team resolved the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to resolve" functions as a declarative statement indicating the capacity and successful execution of resolving a particular issue. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable form, fitting various contexts as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was able to resolve" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys the successful resolution of an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various domains, including science, news, and business, indicating its versatility. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure clarity regarding what was resolved and to avoid excessive passive voice. Alternatives such as "managed to resolve" or "succeeded in resolving" can provide variety while maintaining similar meaning. Understanding these nuances allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to resolve

Emphasizes successful management or handling of the resolution.

succeeded in resolving

Highlights the successful outcome of the resolution process.

was successful in resolving

Similar to "succeeded in resolving", but with a slightly different phrasing.

achieved resolution

Focuses on the achievement of a resolution.

effected a resolution

More formal and emphasizes the act of bringing about a resolution.

brought about a resolution

Emphasizes the action of causing the resolution to occur.

settled the matter

Indicates a conclusive decision or agreement.

addressed the issue

Focuses on dealing with the problem, though not necessarily solving it completely.

rectified the problem

Suggests correcting an error or fault.

fixed the issue

Informal way of saying a problem has been solved or repaired.

FAQs

How can I use "was able to resolve" in a sentence?

Use "was able to resolve" to describe successfully addressing a problem or conflict. For example, "The mediator "was able to resolve" the dispute between the parties".

What are some alternatives to "was able to resolve"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to resolve", "succeeded in resolving", or "achieved resolution" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was able to resolve"?

While both are grammatically correct, using the active voice often makes your writing more direct. For example, "The team "was able to resolve" the issue" (active) is often preferable to "The issue "was able to be resolved" by the team" (passive).

What's the difference between "was able to resolve" and "tried to resolve"?

"Was able to resolve" indicates a successful outcome, meaning the issue was successfully addressed. "Tried to resolve" implies an attempt was made, but doesn't guarantee a successful resolution. For example, "The negotiator "was able to resolve" the conflict" versus "The negotiator "tried to resolve" the conflict, but failed".