![]() ![]() Second, the comparative unpredictability of the result in "resolve a problem" may be responsible for the evident inclination of Merriam-Webster-and perhaps English speakers generally-to underestimate the potential permanence implicit in resolve. First, the mathematical precision implicit in "solve a problem" (as in "solve an equation") conveys a stronger sense of indisputable and inevitable correctness to the phrase even when it is used in contexts where the result may not be indisputable or inevitable. I draw two conclusions from this last Ngram chart. Here, despite the huge number of times "solve a problem" appears in print in a purely mathematical sense, instances of "resolve a problem" still appear frequently enough to register as a measurable percentage at the scale of this Ngram chart. Of course, the most frequent point of overlap between solve and resolve involves the phrases "solve a problem" (blue line) versus "resolve a problem" (red line), which match up in Ngram as follows: How do these two sets of phrases differ? In my view, the key difference is that the instances where English speakers strongly prefer "solve a X" to "resolve a X" are ones in which a single correct answer ("solution") is anticipated, whereas the instances in which they prefer "resolve a X" involve situations where the outcome ("resolution") is the product of negotiation or deliberation or arbitrary fiat but is not inevitable: different parties to the issue, different judges or different arbiters might come reach a different resolution. ![]() ![]() And this sense of the expression leads (I think) to its more frequent use in English in such comparisons as "solve a dispute" (blue line) versus "resolve a dispute" (red line):Īnd "solve a disagreement" (blue line) versus "resolve a disagreement" (red line):Īnd "solve an argument" (blue line) versus "resolve an argument" (red line): On the other hand resolve has a sense of "permanently settle" that doesn't come through in MW's treatment of that word. Consider The following Ngram plots (in each case covering the period 1900–2019) for "solve an equation" (blue line) versus "resolve an equation" (red line):įor "solve a mystery" (blue line) versus "resolve a mystery":Īnd for "solve a riddle" (blue line) versus "resolve a riddle" (red line): It is certainly true that solve applies more generally than resolve does to a wide array of objects. Solve is the most general in meaning and suggestion in this group it implies the finding of a satisfactory answer or solution, usually to something of at least moderate difficulty Solve, resolve, unfold, unravel, decipher can all mean to make clear or apparent or intelligible what is obscure or mysterious or incomprehensible. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms (1984) offers the following useful discussion of how solve and resolve differ in precise sense within the area where their meanings broadly overlap: ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |