How to use "a unresolved"

What Does "a unresolved" Mean?

• The phrase "a unresolved" means something that has not been resolved, solved, or decided. It suggests a state of incompleteness or uncertainty.
• The meaning is compositional; "unresolved" modifies the noun that follows it, meaning "not resolved."
• The register is generally neutral to formal, suitable for academic, journalistic, and professional contexts.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: adjective + noun
• Typical objects: problem, issue, question, matter, contradiction, relationship, case, etc.
• The components cannot be separated.
• What sounds unnatural: Using "a unresolved" with nouns that don't typically require resolution (e.g., "a unresolved table"), or using the wrong article (e.g., "an unresolved problem" is correct).

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from a unresolved on Ludwig.guru.

"For the companies, the casks are a reminder of an unresolved problem." — The New York Times

"Sometimes even watching a movie that reminds you of an unresolved experience can be a trigger." — WikiHow

"In fact, however, an unresolved contradiction was a sign of error for Hegel." — SEP

"The traceability of olive oil is an unresolved issue that remains a challenge." — Food Chemistry

"But I think it's great for a play to come from an unresolved question." — The Guardian

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/a+unresolved

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
an open question	Emphasizes that the question is still being debated or considered.
an unsettled matter	Suggests that the issue is still being negotiated or determined.
a pending resolution	Highlights that a solution is expected but not yet achieved.
an outstanding issue	Indicates that the issue remains to be dealt with or resolved.
a moot point	Suggests the issue is no longer practical or relevant.
an undecided case	Used specifically for legal or judicial contexts.
an unanswered question	Focuses on the lack of a response or explanation.

Common Mistakes

• Using "unresolved" as a standalone adjective without a noun (e.g., saying "The problem is unresolved" instead of "It is an unresolved problem").
• Confusing "unresolved" with similar adjectives like "unsolved" or "undecided," which may have slightly different connotations.
• Using the incorrect article (e.g. "an unresolved problem" is correct, not "a unresolved problem").

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
a unresolved	Not settled, solved, or decided.	adjective + noun	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the words in "a unresolved" be separated, or must they stay together?

The phrase "a unresolved" functions as a unit where "unresolved" modifies a noun. The adjective "unresolved" must directly precede the noun it modifies, and the article "a" precedes the adjective. Separating these elements would disrupt the grammatical structure and meaning.

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How is "a unresolved problem" different from "an unsolved problem"?

While both phrases indicate that a problem hasn't been addressed, "unresolved" often implies a lack of a decision or agreement, whereas "unsolved" suggests a lack of a solution or answer. An "unresolved problem" might be one where different solutions exist but no agreement has been reached, while an "unsolved problem" means no solution has been found yet.

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What's the best way to correct the mistake of using "unresolved" without a noun?

Instead of saying something like "The issue is unresolved," it's better to rephrase it to include a noun. You can say "It is an unresolved issue," or "The issue remains an unresolved problem." Always ensure that "unresolved" is modifying a noun to maintain correct grammar.