Use resolution when the point is the voted statement itself, especially with verbs such as pass, adopt, approve, amend, or table.
Use resolution when the point is the voted statement itself, especially with verbs such as pass, adopt, approve, amend, or table.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The mayor passed a resolution by herself. | The council passed a resolution. |
| The board did a resolution. | The board adopted a resolution. |
| The resolution signed the committee. | The committee signed the resolution. |
| They made a law resolution yesterday. | They passed a resolution yesterday. |
Use resolution for a serious intention, and use it without an article when it means strength of will.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She made a resolution exercise daily. | She made a resolution to exercise daily. |
| His resolution was a success. | His plan was a success. |
| He showed a great resolution during the crisis. | He showed great resolution during the crisis. |
| My resolution is quit smoking. | My resolution is to quit smoking. |
Use resolution when the focus is the end state that settles the trouble, not merely any possible answer.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The resolution of the match was 2-1. | The result of the match was 2-1. |
| We need a resolution for this equation. | We need a solution to this equation. |
| They arrived to a resolution. | They arrived at a resolution. |
| The novel's resolution solved with a letter. | The novel's conflict was resolved with a letter. |
Use resolution for distinguishable detail, with units such as pixels, dots per inch, megapixels, or the smallest detectable increment.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The picture resolution is five inches. | The picture resolution is 1920 by 1080 pixels. |
| A bigger screen always has higher resolution. | A bigger screen can have the same resolution. |
| The sensor's resolution is 0.1 gram accurate. | The sensor's resolution is 0.1 gram. |
| Higher resolution means better color. | Higher resolution means finer detail. |
Use resolution in technical writing when a whole is being separated into simpler or distinguishable components.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The chemist improved the resolution of the racemate on the screen. | The chemist performed the resolution of the racemate. |
| The vector's resolution made it blurry. | The vector's resolution split it into components. |
| Resolution of the mixture means mixing it well. | Resolution of the mixture means separating its components. |
| The lab measured the resolution in pixels. | The lab measured the resolution by how well the compounds separated. |
Use resolution in music when tension in a note, suspension, or chord moves into a stable sound.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The concert's resolution was at 10 p.m. | The concert ended at 10 p.m. |
| The chord made a resolution into more dissonance. | The chord resolved into consonance. |
| The singer's resolution was louder in the chorus. | The singer's note resolved in the chorus. |
| Every final chord is a resolution. | A final chord can be a resolution when it releases harmonic tension. |
Use resolution in medical contexts when symptoms or inflammation clear, especially after treatment or natural recovery.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The patient's resolution was to stop coughing. | The patient's cough resolved. |
| The resolution caused new swelling. | The inflammation showed resolution. |
| Resolution of pneumonia means it started. | Resolution of pneumonia means it cleared. |
| The rash resolution voted tomorrow. | The rash showed resolution by tomorrow. |
Use context to choose the sense: official bodies pass resolutions, people make resolutions, conflicts reach resolution, images have resolution, and technical fields use it for separating or distinguishing parts.
A resolution is not always a result: it can be a voted statement, a promise, a settlement, fine detail, a separation, a musical release, or medical clearing.
From Middle English resolucioun, from Old French resolution and Latin resolutio, from resolvere, meaning to loosen or undo. The early idea of loosening or breaking into parts developed into senses of solving, deciding, separating, and making details distinct.
What does resolution mean?
Resolution can mean a formal voted statement, a firm personal decision, the settling of a problem, fine detail, technical separation, musical release, or medical clearing.
What is a resolution in a meeting?
In a meeting, a resolution is a formal statement or decision that a group adopts, approves, or passes by vote.
What is a New Year's resolution?
A New Year's resolution is a personal decision or promise to do something differently in the new year.
What does resolution mean in technology?
In technology, resolution is the fineness of detail an image, screen, printer, instrument, or sensor can distinguish or record.
Can resolution mean solving a problem?
Yes. A resolution can be the solving or settling of a dispute, crisis, support ticket, or story conflict.
What is resolution in music?
In music, resolution is the movement from dissonance into consonance, which releases harmonic tension.
What is a common mistake with resolution?
A common mistake is using resolution as if it always meant result, when many senses depend on context.