resolution
resolution — noun
1. a formal decision that an assembled body approves by casting votes
a formal decision that an assembled body approves by casting votes
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
pass a resolution — formal collocation for voting approval
The board of directors voted unanimously on a resolution to expand into Southeast Asia.
vote on a resolution — preposition on used with vote
Local residents proposed a resolution urging the city council to protect the old park.
The committee's resolution was adopted by a majority of seventy-five votes to twelve.
A resolution to ban single-use plastic bags was brought before the parliament last week.
文法句型
pass + resolution
vote on + resolution
adopt + resolution
用法筆記
Frequently used in political and corporate contexts. Subject is usually a legislative body, board, or committee. The verb resolve corresponds to this sense.
常見錯誤
2. a firm promise you make to yourself about what you will or will not do, especial
a firm promise you make to yourself about what you will or will not do, especially at the start of a new year
Christopher made a New Year's resolution to exercise at least three times a week.
make a resolution + to-infinitive — most common pattern
Folake kept her resolution to study Mandarin for twenty minutes every day.
keep a resolution — collocation for maintaining a promise
Many people break their resolutions within the first month of the year.
Mizuki's resolution to save money meant she started bringing lunch from home.
Devika wrote down her resolutions and pinned them on the fridge door.
文法句型
make a resolution + to-infinitive
keep + resolution
break + resolution
用法筆記
This sense commonly appears in the phrase New Year's resolution. The object of the resolution is expressed with to-infinitive (resolution to quit smoking) or of + gerund (resolution of giving up sweets, less common).
常見錯誤
3. the inner strength to stay mentally firm and resolute, especially through hard t
the inner strength to stay mentally firm and resolute, especially through hard times
The team showed remarkable resolution in the face of repeated setbacks.
show resolution — uncountable use with adjective modifier
Adina's quiet resolution impressed everyone who worked with her.
resolution as personal quality — usually uncountable
It takes great resolution to complete a marathon after twisting your ankle.
The leader spoke with such resolution that the whole crowd felt encouraged.
- determination
more common in everyday speech; resolution sounds more formal and suggests calm firmness
- resolve
very close in meaning, often interchangeable; resolve can feel slightly more active and immediate
- perseverance
focuses on continuing despite difficulty over time, rather than inner mental strength at a moment
- indecision
the inability to make up one's mind, opposite of firmness
- weakness
lack of mental or moral strength
文法句型
show + resolution
with + resolution
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — do not say a resolution or resolutions when referring to determination. Compare with sense 2 (a personal promise) which IS countable.
常見錯誤
4. the act or process of successfully dealing with a problem, argument, or difficul
the act or process of successfully dealing with a problem, argument, or difficult situation
The two countries finally reached a resolution of their border dispute through negotiation.
reach a resolution — common collocation for conflict
The mediator helped the families find a peaceful resolution to the argument.
resolution to + [problem] — preposition to signals what is solved
A quick resolution of the technical problem saved the company thousands of dollars.
Neighbours worked toward a resolution of their noise complaint by talking to each other.
The management and staff are close to a resolution after weeks of difficult talks.
- solution
focuses on the correct answer to a problem; resolution stresses the process of settling, especially in conflicts
- settlement
implies a formal agreement that ends a dispute, often involving money or legal terms
- outcome
a broader term for any result; resolution suggests a positive, intentional result
文法句型
resolution + of + problem/dispute
reach + resolution
find + resolution
用法筆記
Both countable (a resolution of the dispute) and uncountable (resolution of the crisis was slow). With of or to — resolution of a problem focuses on what is being solved; resolution to a problem emphasises the outcome.
常見錯誤
5. how clear and detailed an image a screen, camera, or microscope can produce, mea
how clear and detailed an image a screen, camera, or microscope can produce, measured in pixels
The new monitor has a 4K resolution, so the images look incredibly sharp.
has + resolution — used with measurement value
The microscope's high resolution let the biologist see individual cell structures clearly.
high resolution — most common adjective collocation
If you lower the screen resolution, the text becomes harder to read.
Beatrix adjusted the printer's resolution to get better quality photo prints.
The game requires a minimum screen resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
文法句型
high + resolution
low + resolution
screen/display/image + resolution
用法筆記
Often modified by a measurement (1080p resolution, 300 dpi resolution). High resolution (hi-res) and low resolution (lo-res) are also used as compound adjectives. Can be uncountable when speaking generally: This camera has excellent resolution.
常見錯誤
6. the process of separating a complex thing into its simpler or more basic parts
the process of separating a complex thing into its simpler or more basic parts
The resolution of light into its different colours is achieved by a prism.
resolution + into — preposition signals result of separation
The chemist studied the resolution of the compound into its basic chemical elements.
resolution of + into — full pattern: of input, into output
The resolution of the data into clear categories helped the researchers see patterns.
Phonetic analysis involves the resolution of speech sounds into smaller units called phonemes.
- separation
more general term; resolution suggests a more systematic, analytical process
- analysis
focuses on examining parts rather than physically separating them
- combination
the act of joining things together, opposite of breaking them apart
- synthesis
bringing parts together to form a whole, the opposite process
文法句型
resolution + into
resolution + of
用法筆記
Most common in scientific and technical writing (chemistry, physics, linguistics). Not used in everyday conversation. The verb resolve is much more common for this idea in general English.
7. the movement of a musical chord from a tense or unstable sound to a stable, rest
the movement of a musical chord from a tense or unstable sound to a stable, restful sound
The final resolution of the seventh chord gave the piece a feeling of closure.
resolution of + chord — specifying which chord resolves
In classical music, the resolution of dissonance creates a powerful emotional effect.
resolution of dissonance — technical musical collocation
The pianist held the tension before the final resolution into the tonic chord.
Music students learn to recognize different types of chord resolution by ear.
- dissonance
the unstable, tense sound that precedes resolution
文法句型
resolution + of + chord
resolution + from + dissonance + to + consonance
用法筆記
This is a specialised music theory term. It contrasts with dissonance. The verb phrase resolve to (e.g. the chord resolves to the tonic) is more common than the noun in everyday musical discussion.
8. the final stage of a story or play where the central struggle gets worked out an
the final stage of a story or play where the central struggle gets worked out and the ending becomes clear
The resolution of the novel came when the two sisters finally understood each other.
resolution of + story — preposition of for the work
Critics praised the film's resolution for being both surprising and emotionally satisfying.
film's resolution — possessive with a creative work
In the story's resolution, the hero returns home and finds peace after years of travel.
The play's resolution left the audience with a strong sense of hope and justice.
- denouement
the formal literary term for the final unravelling of a plot, from French; resolution is more accessible for learners
- conclusion
broader term for any ending; resolution specifically addresses how the conflict is settled
- ending
the most general word; resolution adds the idea that problems are solved or explained
文法句型
resolution + of + story/plot
in the resolution
用法筆記
In literary analysis, resolution is one of the elements of a story's structure, following the climax. The term denouement (from French) is also used and often preferred in formal criticism.