a few grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or justifications for a particular opinion or action. Example: "There are a few grounds for believing that this approach will be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There are quite a few grounds for self-congratulation.

The Economist

Dealing with such cases can prove a huge distraction, as Citigroup discovered after the dotcom collapse.There are a few grounds for optimism.

The Economist

'Simple but effective,' says Bayley, nodding at the jug, 'as long as you don't mind a few grounds in the mouth!' 'You must pour,' says Iris, patting his arm.

The Guardian - Books

Asked why entitlements remain off the table John Boehner, the Republican leader, told NBC's "Meet The Press" that Americans don't yet know that entitlements are the problem.The lack of attention to the long-term deficit is unfortunate, but there are a few grounds for hope.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There are a few ground rules.

The New York Times - Food

"Now, a few ground rules.

The New York Times - Sports

The group enforces a few ground rules.

The New York Times

He set out a few ground rules.

The Guardian - Business

The Death Cafe movement has a few ground rules.

The New York Times

A few ground rules in Mr. Sgarlato's establishment.

The New York Times

For his own recordings, Rosenbaum laid down only a few ground rules.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few grounds", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to reasons or justifications for a particular stance or decision. For example: "There are "a few grounds" to support this proposal, primarily its cost-effectiveness and potential for long-term growth."

Common error

Avoid using "a few grounds" in very casual conversations. It's more appropriate for formal writing or discussions. Opt for simpler phrases like "a few reasons" or "some points" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few grounds" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifying a limited number of reasons or justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage, although relatively infrequent compared to alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few grounds" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate a limited number of reasons or justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its register leans toward neutral to formal, making it suitable for news articles, essays, or considered discussions, but less common in casual conversation. While the phrase is valid, alternative expressions like "several reasons" or "some justifications" may be more frequently encountered. When using "a few grounds", ensure the context appropriately aligns with a relatively formal tone, and that you want to communicate that you have a limited, but existent number of reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several reasons

Replaces "few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger number of reasons.

some justifications

Substitutes "grounds" with "justifications", offering a more formal synonym.

a couple of reasons

Uses "couple" instead of "few", implying a smaller quantity.

limited reasons

Emphasizes the restricted number of reasons.

a handful of reasons

Offers a more informal way to indicate a small number of reasons.

certain reasons

Indicates that there are specific reasons, replacing "few" with "certain".

some contributing factors

Replaces both "few" and "grounds" with more descriptive terms, focusing on factors that contribute to a situation.

several contributing reasons

A combination of "several reasons" and "contributing factors", merging both alternatives.

a limited number of justifications

A more formal and descriptive alternative highlighting the limited quantity of justifications.

a small number of reasons

Expresses the limited number of reasons more explicitly.

FAQs

What does "a few grounds" mean?

The phrase "a few grounds" refers to a small number of reasons, justifications, or bases for a particular belief, action, or decision. It suggests there are some supporting factors, but not many.

What can I say instead of "a few grounds"?

You can use alternatives like "several reasons", "some justifications", or "a couple of reasons" depending on the context.

Is "a few grounds" formal or informal?

The phrase "a few grounds" tends to be more formal and is often found in writing or more serious discussions. In casual conversation, simpler phrases are more common.

How to use "a few grounds" in a sentence?

You might say, "There are "a few grounds" for optimism despite the challenges" or "The committee dismissed the proposal as there were "a few grounds" for concern about its feasibility".