Whenever there are two or more contrasting opinions, groups or ideas that need a connection or a form of middle ground, that’s when the phrase “bridge the gap” is used. It declares a desire to overcome a divide between differing knowledge or groups.
The context on the other hand could be in a group meeting with your colleagues at work or a debate with your friends while at home, whichever one it is, it would interest you to know that there are other ways to declare a peaceful resolution rather than saying “bridge the gap.”
The 20 phrases contained in this article, will educate you on alternative ways to articulate the phrase and still produce the same meaning.
A list of Other Ways to Say Bridge The Gap
- Fill the void.
- Connect the dots.
- Link the two.
- Bring together.
- Unite the differences.
- Overcome the barrier.
- Narrow the gap.
- Close the distance.
- Reconcile the differences.
- Smooth the transition.
- Forge a connection.
- Align the interests.
- Integrate both sides.
- Build a connection.
- Harmonize the differences.
- Merge perspectives.
- Resolve the differences.
- Create a bridge.
- Synthesize ideas.
- Make a connection.
Fill the void.
Whenever you are in a situation where you have to play the role of a peacemaker between contrasting ideas, you can make use of this phrase.
‘Fill the void’ suggests addressing or resolving an emptiness, either emotional or conceptual. You need to provide something that is missing to complete or bring balance.
Next time when you want to resolve an issue between your coworkers, friends or family members, it would not be difficult to come up with something fresh to say.
Illustration:
- At this point, it is clear that there is a need to fill the void
- Filling the void that is between these two researches is completely necessary for other scholars.
Connect the dots.
Used in a metaphorical way, this phrase means to make sense of separate pieces of information by finding relationships between them.
You are saying that there is a need for uncovering a bigger picture by linking smaller, seemingly unrelated parts.
The example below will aid you in incorporating it in a sentence or full expression.
Illustration:
- Connect the dots Mr Adams and let me tell you about how true your conclusion is.
- Connect the dots between this hypothesis and let me see what you arrive at.
Link the two.
The content of this phrase refers to connecting two distinct elements, either ideas, people, or things.
When you are trying to merge two ideas using a theory, you can use this phrase as a linker as it brings together what may currently be separate or unassociated.
Let’s see how the expression “link the two” can be used like an expert in a sentence.
Illustration:
- Link the two (the name of what the entity, idea or concepts are) and you’ll be shocked to see that they have a lot in common.
Bring together.
When you use the words ‘bring together’ instead of’ bridge the gap,’ what you are passing across in a deeper way is the act of uniting people, ideas, or components that are separate.
The creation of unity or harmony from previously disconnected elements will be given prominence.
I am positive that with a phrase like this, coming up with alternative expressions for “bridge the gap” will no longer be difficult.
Illustration:
- What we must do is to bring together the belief system that contrasts the other so that we can make a comprehensive report about it for publication.
Unite the differences.
It is possible to find common ground between two contrasting or opposing things which is the aim of this phrase.
Shedding more light on the idea of blending differences to create harmony or understanding will be a good alternative for bridge the gap.
With the illustration below, you’ll be able to get the full realization of how to use this phrase in a full blown sentence.
Illustration:
- What can we do to unite the differences between these people? (Question)
- Let’s do well to unite the differences between people who believe in ghosts and people who don’t. (Statement)
Overcome the barrier.
Also, this expression refers to removing or surpassing an obstacle that stands in the way of progress or communication.
Breaking down barriers, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual is what you are trying to communicate with this phrase.
Note that this phrase would be best for a physical disagreement more than an abstract one (ideas, concept e.t.c.)
Illustration:
- I believe that we can overcome the barrier of emotions and thoughts that constantly tear us apart and cause a division amongst us.
- Overcome the barrier between the Titans and the Jutes.
Narrow the gap.
This phrase focuses on reducing the distance or difference between two things or people.
Whether it’s a literal distance or a gap in understanding or agreement it depends on what your context is but regardless, it can still fit into it. There’s a communication that movement is being made toward closeness.
Use the examples to understand better, how to make use of this phrase.
Illustration:
- From now henceforth, we need to begin narrowing the gap between this wonderful thesis that has both helped in the development of language and grammar.
- This is such a huge gap between people that used to love each other. We have to narrow the gap.
Close the distance.
The meaning of this phrase is the same as narrowing the gap. This phrase speaks of reducing the physical or metaphorical space between two things or people, making them closer or more connected.
When you are communicating that you want to be more close to someone that you’re fond of, this phrase will come in handy for sure.
Illustration:
- I am sick and tired of this long distance between us, I would like us to close the distance between us.
- The distance between the two professors is way too much, let’s communicate on how to close the distance.
Reconcile the differences.
Maybe you’re in the middle of a conflict with someone and would like a resolution, you can communicate that by saying “reconcile the differences.” You’re saying that you’re interested in finding a resolution that bridges opposing viewpoints or perspectives.
Examples make things clearer which is what the example below does for you.
Illustration:
- I am not leaving this house until we try to reconcile the differences between us.
- We have different opinions and we need to reconcile that.
Smooth the transition.
Without any form of confusion, saying this phrase means that you indicate making a change or shift easier, by reducing disruptions or difficulties. There’s a suggestion of a seamless process of moving from one state or condition to another.
Instead of saying “bridge the gap” and being stuck in that vicious cycle, switch things up by making use of the phrase “smooth the transition.”
Illustration:
- Let’s try and smoothen the transition between us.
- Alright, if we can’t agree in a drastic manner then let’s make the transition smooth and slow.
Forge a connection.
Sometimes, a way to clear the difference is to forge a new connection. With this phrase, you’re sending the message of intentionality, creating a strong lasting link between two elements, often requiring effort and intent.
Illustration:
- If we can work on this project a little bit more, we’ll be able to forge a connection between the two companies.
- There has to be a way that we can forge a connection here.
Align the interests.
Finding a common goal or shared objective between two or more parties is not a bad idea right?
With this phrase, you can articulate bringing different motivations or desires into agreement can create cooperation.
Illustration:
- I don’t think what we desire is so different after all, let’s align our interests for greater profit.
- If we begin to align our interests, we could achieve a lot.
Integrate both sides.
‘Integrate both sides’ means to combine two distinct or opposing sides into a cohesive whole. This blending or merging of different elements which can be perspectives, ideas, or groups, can then work together seamlessly.
Illustration:
- All we have to do is integrate both sides and then we can take the profit.
- I wish I could integrate the both sides of the north and the western people.
Build a connection.
This phrase could help you out in establishing a relationship or link between two things or people that might not have been connected before.
In the same vein, this could be emotional, intellectual, or even professional bonds.
Illustration:
- Our marriage fell apart when I hit rock bottom but now I am ready to build a connection again.
- Let’s build a connection between both sectors and see what happens.
Harmonize the differences.
Furthermore, ‘harmonize the differences’ also means that you are interested in resolving conflicts by blending contrasting elements into a balanced whole.
It suggests creating a state where differences coexist peacefully and productively.
Illustration:
- I don’t know how possible it is but I still think that we can harmonize the differences.
- Harmonizing the differences would be a good move to make at this stage.
Merge perspectives.
In this expression, combining different viewpoints or ways of thinking is said to create a unified, comprehensive perspective.
This helps in integrating various insights into one cohesive vision.
Illustration:
- I am telling you that if you all could just merge perspectives today, you’ll become rich tomorrow.
- Do not be deceived, merging your perspective is the only answer.
Resolve the differences.
There are many words you can choose to say when settling conflicts and this is one of the many words put together in a phrase.
This is about addressing discrepancies between two parties or ideas. It speaks of finding solutions that eliminate friction and lead to agreement.
Illustration:
- There has to be a way that can resolve the differences between the two professors.
- Why don’t we just resolve the differences?
Create a bridge.
Using a metaphor, this phrase means forming a link between two previously separated entities, be it people, ideas, or cultures.
Through the examples you’ll be able to see how the phrase implies overcoming barriers to create a path of connection or understanding.
Illustration:
- For many years we have been trying to create a bridge between the beliefs of forefathers and their fathers. What are we going to do?
- What do we have to do to be able to create a bridge between those geniuses?
Synthesize ideas.
The word “synthesize” means to bring together or to merge two things together in a seamless manner.
This is why this best helps to interpret the process of combining different ideas, theories, or viewpoints to form a new, cohesive understanding. It speaks on the act of blending concepts to create something more comprehensive.
Illustration:
- Although these ideas are entirely different and from contrasting roots, there can still be a way to synthesize the ideas.
- There is no better solution to this major problem other than synthesizing the ideas that have been gotten.
Make a connection.
In relation to the point “build a connection,” this phrase involves establishing a relationship or understanding between two elements.
Linking people, ideas, or concepts in a meaningful way will help foster peace and at the end of the day “bridge the gap” or “make a connection.”
Illustration:
- Making a connection between both parties might be a great strategy to winning this war. The only question is, how do we achieve this?
- The conflict has caused a lot of damage and trauma but that doesn’t mean that we can not make a connection again, anything is possible.
In a nutshell…
There are diverse ways that you can choose to say “bridge the gap” and I believe that the careful selection of these phrases would help you begin to see how you can make use of it and what it truly means in the context that you use it.
Now, you don’t have to worry about resolving conflicts with the right words as that has been provided in the content of the article. Let me know how you feel about this article in the comment section below.
