"reconcile your differences" or "resolve your differences"?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello. I came across this ECPE practice test question. Could someone give me some insight here?

Here is the sentence:

The couple decided to __________ their differences and get back together again.
a. reconcile
b. revert
c. resolve
d. remand

The correct answer is c. resolve

Both “reconcile” and “resolve” can be used here. They both mean “to solve” or “to settle”. Here is an example of “reconcile used in a sentence”. We have also used this word in this way, many times. At least I have.

“When the battle was at its height, a Sprat lifted its head out of the waves and said that he would reconcile their differences if they would accept him as an umpire.”
-Fables by Aesop

My question is why can’t “reconcile” be considered the correct answer here? Anyone have any idea? Personally, I think this question is misleading, but that’s just my opinion.

Thank you for your time!

2

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I agree. ‘Reconcile’ is also used in this situation.
.

3

Hello again. Thank you for answering! I talked to my boss today, about the test question. He responded that “reconcile” can not be used in this way: “reconcile differences”. He said you can “reconcile with someone” or that you can “reconcile with a person”, but that you can’t “reconcile something”, whereas with “resolve”, it can be used in this way.

What do you think about his response? I am not sure what to tell my students now. What is your opinion? My boss is not a native speaker of English, but he is extremely educated and proficient in English.

Thanks, Tina

4

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I am not here to argue with your boss. Here is one dictionary’s example sentence: 4. To adjust; to settle; as, to reconcile differences. .
.

5

Your boss is incorrect in this case:

As Mr. Micawber said (or insinuated), “reconcile” and “resolve” are more or less identical in this example. They both render the same meaning.

6

Thank you Prezbucky and Mister Micawber! I have always used “reconcile” in this way, but I started having doubts about whether I was using it correctly when I saw the answer to this question. I was doubtful of my boss as well, but wasn’t completely sure.

Thanks guys! I will just let my students know that both words are correct in this case.