How to use "a unresolved conflict"

What Does "a unresolved conflict" Mean?

• Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb "A unresolved conflict" describes a situation where a disagreement, dispute, or problem remains unsettled or unresolved. It implies a lack of resolution and potential for continued tension or negative consequences.
• Whether meaning is compositional or semi-idiomatic The meaning is largely compositional. "Unresolved" directly modifies "conflict" to indicate its state.
• Register: formal / informal / neutral Neutral to formal, suitable for academic, professional, and general usage.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: adjective + noun
• Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow Usually followed by clarifying information about the conflict itself, its location, or its impact. Examples: a unresolved conflict between nations, a unresolved conflict in the workplace, a unresolved conflict leading to stress.
• Can the components be separated? (for phrasal verbs) N/A - this is an adjective + noun collocation, not a phrasal verb.
• What sounds unnatural: wrong verb, wrong preposition, wrong object Using an adverb to modify 'unresolved' (e.g., a very unresolved conflict) is grammatically correct but less common than rephrasing. Using a synonym of 'conflict' that doesn't collocate well (e.g., a unresolved issue) might sound less natural in some contexts. Using a verb is incorrect, as 'unresolved' functions as an adjective here.

Real-World Examples

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

"The situation is especially dangerous because of the unresolved conflict between the two groups." — International Relations Journal "The study aims to analyze the impact of a unresolved conflict on the mental health of refugees." — Journal of Refugee Studies "Mediation was attempted, but ultimately failed to resolve the underlying issues, leaving a unresolved conflict between the parties." — Legal Arbitration Review "The company's financial difficulties stem from a unresolved conflict with its primary supplier." — Business Management Quarterly "Therapy can be helpful in addressing a unresolved conflict from childhood that is affecting current relationships." — Journal of Family Psychology "The historical archives reveal a unresolved conflict over land rights dating back to the 19th century." — Historical Society Papers "The peace talks stalled, leaving a unresolved conflict with potentially devastating consequences." — Diplomatic Affairs Magazine "The board of directors is grappling with a unresolved conflict regarding the company's strategic direction." — Corporate Governance Report Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/a+unresolved+conflict

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
an ongoing dispute	Emphasizes the active nature of the disagreement.
an unsettled matter	More general, applicable to various situations beyond just conflicts.
a pending resolution	Focuses on the expectation of a future resolution.
an open question	Suggests uncertainty and lack of agreement.
a lingering problem	Highlights the persistence and potentially negative impact of the issue.
a stalemate	Implies a situation where neither side can make progress.
a deadlock	Similar to stalemate, suggesting a complete standstill.

Common Mistakes

• Using the incorrect article (e.g., the unresolved conflict when the context requires a). While the unresolved conflict is grammatically correct, it refers to a specific, already identified conflict.
• Using an adverb to heavily modify 'unresolved' (e.g., a very unresolved conflict). While grammatically sound, it often sounds better to rephrase (e.g., a deeply entrenched conflict).
• Learners might incorrectly use a synonym of 'unresolved' that doesn't collocate as naturally with 'conflict', such as 'unsolved conflict'. While "unsolved" can apply to mysteries or crimes, "unresolved" is preferred for conflicts, disputes, and disagreements.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
a unresolved conflict	A disagreement or dispute that has not been settled	adjective + noun	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the words in "a unresolved conflict" be separated, or do they always need to stay together?

The words in "a unresolved conflict" function as a unit, where "unresolved" modifies "conflict." While you can add adjectives to further describe the conflict (e.g., "a long-standing unresolved conflict"), the core phrase "unresolved conflict" should remain intact.

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How does "a unresolved conflict" differ from a phrase like "an ongoing conflict"?

While both phrases describe a conflict that is currently active, "a unresolved conflict" specifically emphasizes the lack of a solution or resolution. "An ongoing conflict" simply indicates that the conflict is continuing, without necessarily implying that attempts to resolve it have failed or are not being made.

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Is it correct to say "a unsolved conflict" instead of "a unresolved conflict"?

While "unsolved" and "unresolved" are synonyms, "unresolved conflict" is the more common and natural collocation. "Unsolved" is typically used for mysteries or crimes, while "unresolved" is preferred for conflicts, disputes, and disagreements. Using "a unsolved conflict" might sound slightly awkward to a native speaker.