蜜芽传媒 World Service | Learning English

The officials met to resolve the dispute

A question from Lilia in Rio de Janeiro:
Since I'm improving my English, I'm trying to write my reports in English. I need to know the difference between the verbs 'solve' and 'resolve'. Thank you.


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Sian Harris answers:
Hello Lilia, thanks for getting in touch.

The simplest answer I can give you here is to say that in many contexts they are roughly synonymous - in other words similar in meaning and therefore sometimes used interchangeably, where the basic meaning is to find a solution or answer to a problem.

For example, we could say either "we have solved the problems in management" or "we have resolved the problems in management". To resolve a problem, argument or difficulty means to deal with it successfully. As in the example, "The cabinet met to resolve the dispute."

However, be aware that 'resolve' can be used with the infinitive with a slightly different meaning. If you resolve to do something you make a firm decision to do it.

"They resolved to take action."

'Resolve' also sometimes appears as a noun meaning a determination to do something. "We must be firm in our resolve to oppose them."

So Lilia, you'll find more examples in your dictionary, but in them meantime, I hope I've clarified the key differences there.

Sian Harris is the Manager of English Language Training & Development at the 蜜芽传媒 World Service, and runs specialist courses in London and overseas for 蜜芽传媒 staff. Before joining the 蜜芽传媒, she spent 10 years as an English language teacher, examiner and academic manager in schools and colleges in London.

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