resolutions
Resolutions are firm decisions to do something or formal statements of opinion.
Explanation at your level:
A resolution is a promise. You make a promise to yourself. For example, you say: 'I will study English every day.' This is your resolution. It is a good way to change your life.
A resolution is a goal. People make resolutions in January. They want to be healthy or learn new things. You can 'make' a resolution or 'keep' a resolution. If you stop, you 'break' it.
Resolutions are decisions to change habits. We often make them at the start of the year. In formal settings, a resolution is an official statement or a vote by a group of people to do something important.
Beyond personal goals, resolutions are formal documents. Governments and organizations pass resolutions to show their official position. The word implies a high level of commitment, whether it is a personal pledge or a legislative act.
The term carries significant weight in both personal and political spheres. In psychology, a resolution is a cognitive commitment to a future action. In international law, a resolution is a non-binding but authoritative expression of intent. The nuance lies in the transition from abstract intention to concrete, finalized decision-making.
Etymologically, the term reflects the resolution of complex issues into singular, actionable paths. In literary and philosophical contexts, it denotes a steadfastness of purpose. Whether discussing the 'resolution of a plot' in a novel or a 'diplomatic resolution' between nations, the word signifies the finality of a choice made after careful consideration of conflict.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- A firm decision.
- Common for New Year's.
- Used in formal meetings.
- Can be broken or kept.
When you hear the word resolutions, you probably think of New Year's Eve. It is a powerful word that sits at the intersection of personal growth and official decision-making.
At its heart, a resolution is a firm decision. Whether you are promising yourself to hit the gym or a city council is voting on a new policy, you are essentially drawing a line in the sand. You are saying, 'This is what I intend to do.'
In personal life, these are often about self-improvement. We set resolutions because we want to be better versions of ourselves. In the professional world, they are more about consensus and formal agreement. It is a fascinating word because it carries both the weight of individual willpower and the authority of group governance.
The word resolutions comes from the Latin word resolutio, which means 'a loosening' or 'a releasing.' It sounds a bit strange today, right? How does 'loosening' become a 'firm decision'?
Historically, the word evolved through the idea of 'dissolving' a problem into its component parts. By analyzing a problem, you reach a conclusion, and that conclusion becomes your resolution. Over time, the focus shifted from the process of analysis to the result of the decision itself.
By the 15th century, it was being used in English to describe the act of resolving or settling a matter. It wasn't until much later that the specific cultural tradition of 'New Year's Resolutions' became a staple of Western society, turning a formal administrative term into a household word for personal goal-setting.
You will find resolutions used in two primary ways. First, in casual conversation, we talk about 'making' or 'breaking' them. This is almost always related to personal habits or lifestyle changes.
Second, in formal contexts, you will see it in news reports or political settings. You might hear that the United Nations passed a 'resolution' regarding international peace. In this register, the word implies a legal or binding document.
Common collocations include 'New Year's resolutions', 'pass a resolution', and 'firm resolution'. Using these correctly will make you sound much more natural. Remember: you 'keep' a resolution if you succeed, and you 'break' it if you give up!
Idioms often reflect our struggle to keep these promises. Here are five common ones:
- 'Turn over a new leaf': To start fresh, often connected to a resolution.
- 'Stick to your guns': To maintain your resolution despite opposition.
- 'Fall off the wagon': To fail to maintain a resolution, usually related to habits.
- 'Make a clean break': To end a bad habit completely as part of a resolution.
- 'Put your money where your mouth is': To back up your resolution with real action.
The word is a countable noun. You can have one resolution or many resolutions. It is almost always preceded by an article or a possessive pronoun (e.g., 'My resolution' or 'The resolution').
Pronunciation-wise, it is /ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃənz/. The stress is on the third syllable, '-lu-'. It rhymes with 'solutions', 'evolutions', and 'contributions'.
When using it as a verb, we use the root 'resolve'. 'I resolve to study more' is a formal way of saying 'I have made a resolution to study more'.
Fun Fact
It originally meant 'to melt' or 'to break down' before it meant 'to decide'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'z' sound at the start.
Slightly faster, 't' sounds like a soft 'd' sometimes.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'u' as 'oo'.
- Stress on the first syllable instead of the third.
- Forgetting the 'z' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Infinitive patterns
Resolution to do
Countable nouns
Two resolutions
Subject-verb agreement
Resolutions are
Examples by Level
I have a resolution.
I have a goal.
Simple present.
My resolution is to run.
My goal is running.
Infinitive verb.
She made a resolution.
She decided something.
Past tense.
Do you have resolutions?
Do you have goals?
Plural noun.
He keeps his resolution.
He follows his plan.
Subject-verb agreement.
No more bad resolutions.
No more bad goals.
Negative quantifier.
We share our resolutions.
We tell our goals.
Present tense.
It is a big resolution.
It is a hard goal.
Adjective usage.
I made a New Year's resolution to eat more fruit.
Keeping resolutions is very difficult.
She broke her resolution after one week.
What are your resolutions for this year?
He wrote his resolutions in a diary.
The group passed a resolution to help the poor.
My resolution is to learn to play the guitar.
We need to stick to our resolutions.
The committee passed a resolution to increase funding.
It is common to make resolutions that we cannot keep.
Her New Year's resolution was to travel more often.
The UN adopted a resolution regarding the crisis.
He lacked the resolution to finish the marathon.
Many people lose interest in their resolutions by February.
The board's resolution was to merge the two companies.
She felt proud of her firm resolution to quit smoking.
Despite the pressure, she maintained her resolution to stay honest.
The resolution of the conflict required months of negotiation.
He made a solemn resolution to never repeat his mistake.
The council's resolution was met with public approval.
It takes great resolution to overcome such obstacles.
Their resolution to succeed was evident in their hard work.
She drafted a resolution for the upcoming meeting.
The resolution of the story was quite unexpected.
The resolution of the board was binding for all employees.
His resolution to remain neutral in the dispute was tested.
The assembly voted on the resolution with a clear majority.
There is a lack of resolution in his character.
The resolution of the matter brought peace to the region.
She showed remarkable resolution in the face of adversity.
The proposed resolution was rejected by the committee.
He acted with the resolution of a man who had nothing to lose.
The resolution of the narrative arc was masterfully executed.
His resolution was forged in the fire of experience.
The diplomatic resolution was hailed as a historic achievement.
She stood with the resolution of a seasoned diplomat.
The resolution of the chemical compound was successful.
Their shared resolution to reform the system was unwavering.
The resolution of the image was incredibly high.
He made a final resolution to depart from the city forever.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"Stick to your guns"
To refuse to change your mind or resolution.
Even when they criticized him, he stuck to his guns.
casual"Turn over a new leaf"
To start behaving in a better way as a resolution.
I decided to turn over a new leaf this year.
neutral"Fall off the wagon"
To fail to keep a resolution about stopping a bad habit.
He fell off the wagon after only a week.
casual"Make a clean break"
To end a situation completely as part of a resolution.
She made a clean break from her old job.
neutral"Put your money where your mouth is"
To prove your resolution with action.
If you want to help, put your money where your mouth is.
casual"Bite the bullet"
To accept something difficult as part of a resolution.
I had to bite the bullet and start exercising.
casualEasily Confused
Similar sound
Solution is a fix; resolution is a decision.
The solution to the math problem / My resolution to study.
Same root
Resolve is a verb; resolution is a noun.
I resolve to study / My resolution is to study.
Similar meaning
Resolution is more formal/long-term.
A quick decision / A New Year's resolution.
Similar meaning
Pledge is a promise to others; resolution is often to oneself.
A pledge of money / A resolution to exercise.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + make + a + resolution + to + verb
I made a resolution to run.
The + committee + passed + a + resolution
The committee passed a resolution.
My + resolution + is + to + verb
My resolution is to learn.
Subject + stick + to + their + resolution
He stuck to his resolution.
Subject + break + their + resolution
She broke her resolution.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
Resolution is a noun, resolve is the verb.
A solution fixes a problem; a resolution is a decision.
Usually singular when referring to a specific plan.
Check the 'o' after the 's'.
It also refers to image sharpness.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a calendar on your wall.
Native Speakers
Often used in January.
Cultural Insight
It is a social norm to share them.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'to' + verb after it.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'LOO' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
It comes from the word 'melt'.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about yourself.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
RE-SOLVE: Re-solve the problem in your mind.
Visual Association
A calendar page with a big red circle on January 1st.
Word Web
Desafío
Write down one resolution for today and keep it.
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Original meaning: loosening or releasing
Contexto cultural
None, but can be a sensitive topic for people who feel bad about failing their goals.
The 'New Year's Resolution' is a major cultural event in the US and UK.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
New Year
- New Year's resolution
- Start fresh
- Goal setting
Meetings
- Pass a resolution
- Draft a resolution
- Adopt a resolution
Self-improvement
- Keep a resolution
- Break a resolution
- Firm resolution
Politics
- UN resolution
- Official resolution
- Legislative resolution
Conversation Starters
"What is your New Year's resolution?"
"Do you think resolutions are useful?"
"How do you keep your resolutions?"
"Have you ever broken a resolution?"
"What is the most common resolution people make?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a resolution you kept for a long time.
Why do people feel pressured to make resolutions?
Describe a resolution you failed and why.
If you could make a resolution for the whole world, what would it be?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasThey are similar, but a resolution is more of a formal decision.
It is a cultural tradition of starting fresh.
Yes, 'I resolve not to eat sugar'.
Yes, you can have many resolutions.
It refers to the number of pixels on a screen.
rez-oh-LOO-shunz.
It can be both formal and informal.
Resolve.
Ponte a prueba
My New Year's ___ is to eat healthy.
Resolution is the goal.
What does it mean to break a resolution?
Breaking means failing to keep it.
A resolution is always a personal goal.
It can also be a formal group decision.
Word
Significado
Common verb collocations.
Correct sentence structure.
Puntuación: /5
Summary
A resolution is a powerful promise you make to yourself or a formal decision made by a group.
- A firm decision.
- Common for New Year's.
- Used in formal meetings.
- Can be broken or kept.
Memory Palace
Imagine a calendar on your wall.
Native Speakers
Often used in January.
Cultural Insight
It is a social norm to share them.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'to' + verb after it.
Ejemplo
I've decided that my New Year's resolutions will be simple this time.
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