“Is Resolved” vs. “Has Been Resolved” – Easy Usage Guide

When it comes to verb tenses, things can get a little confusing. If you are struggling with the differences between “is resolved” and “has been resolved,” this article is here to help. We’ll teach you the difference in usage that you need to remember for each.

Should I Use “Is Resolved” Or “Has Been Resolved”?

“Is resolved” works when we want to talk about something that has “resolved” in the present (i.e. it only happened a few seconds before saying it). “Has been resolved” works when talking about something that was “resolved” in the past and continues to be resolved in the present.

The fundamental differences come from verb tenses. We can use “is resolved” as the present tense to show how things have happened at the present time.

“Has been resolved” is the present perfect tense and shows something happened in the past and continues in the present.

When Should I Use “Is Resolved”?

Now let’s look at the meaning of the two phrases a little closer. We’ll start with “is resolved.”

“Is resolved” is the present tense phrase we use to show that something has just been solved. It refers to something that has only just taken place (in the present), and it was not previously “resolved” until someone brought it to our attention.

For example, if we notice a problem with our IT system, we might take it to the IT department to fix it. After a short time of them diagnosing the problem, they might come back to us and say:

• The problem is resolved.

But this sentence will only work once they have “resolved” the issue. Before that point, it still remained “broken.”

Examples Of How To Use “Is Resolved” In A Sentence

Check out some of these examples to see how it works:

1. The issue is resolved, and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention as early as you did.
2. Okay, it is resolved now. You can all go back to your desks without worry!
3. Don’t worry; it is resolved. You were lucky you managed to contact me when you did, though.
4. This is resolved now, but you should make sure to keep a close eye on it in the future.
5. It is now resolved, and I’m glad you came to me when you did. Otherwise, it could have been a disaster.
6. Your issue is resolved, and I don’t think you’ll be needing me again from now on.
7. I think your issue is finally resolved. Hopefully, you won’t need help with it again.

When Should I Use “Has Been Resolved”?

The meaning of “has been resolved” is the same, but the tense is where the differences lie.

“Has been resolved” means that something was “resolved” in the past. It could work when someone highlights a previous issue that they did not realize was fixed. “Has been” works to show that it was fixed previously, and it is still fixed at present.

We use “has been” as the present perfect tense. It’s a combination of the auxiliary verb “has” and the past participle “been.” This tense shows that an action happened previously and continues to happen in the present.

For example, if we noticed an IT problem a week ago but haven’t reported it, we could encounter this phrase. We might finally report it to IT, but it turns out that someone else beat us to it a few days before, and they have fixed it.

• The problem has been resolved, thank you.

That’s where a sentence like this can be used, and it’s where you’ll more than likely see it.

Examples Of How To Use “Has Been Resolved” In A Sentence

Check out a few more examples below:

1. This issue has been resolved, but we appreciate you coming to us to check.
2. Don’t worry; we’ve made sure that it has been resolved, and you won’t be coming across the problem again.
3. This has been resolved, so I don’t know why you’re emailing us about it again.
4. You should try again because it has been resolved already. There’s nothing more we need to do about it.
5. It has been resolved, and I don’t think you’re using it correctly if you still think it’s wrong!
6. I thought this had been resolved, but I’m still coming across issues with it.
7. It has been resolved, but we appreciate your apprehension!

When Should I Use “Have Been Resolved” Instead Of “Has Been Resolved”?

“Have been resolved” works when we are talking about multiple issues or problems that were fixed. “Have” works with plural pronouns, which is why we use it in the cases where the issues are in the plural. If they are singular, “has been resolved” is fine.

Here are a few examples to help clarify the difference:

• The issue has been resolved.
• These issues have been resolved.
• Your problem has been resolved.
• All of your problems have been resolved.

Is It Ever Correct To Use “Had Been Resolved”?

“Had been resolved” is the past perfect tense. It’s another perfect tense form that uses the past tense of the auxiliary verb “have.” It shows us the order of how things might have happened in the past and is usually related to someone’s choices in the present.

Here are some examples:

• I thought it had been resolved, but you clearly haven’t fixed it.
• You told me this had been resolved before you left the office yesterday!

Is “Is Resolved” Or “Has Been Resolved” Used The Most?

According to Google Ngram Viewer, “is resolved” is the most common phrase of the two. However, they are both still used. It mainly depends on the context and tense you want to use for your sentences.

“Is resolved” is likely more common because we use “resolved” typically in the present tense. It works best to show that we have only just fixed an issue.

We don’t typically need to remind someone that something was already “resolved” since they wouldn’t usually ask for us to fix it if it’s already working. That’s why “has been resolved” isn’t as popular.

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