a frequent ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a frequent ground" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing common reasons or bases for something, but it is better to clarify the meaning for better understanding. Example: "In discussions about climate change, a frequent ground for debate is the impact of human activity on natural ecosystems."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Improper disposal following industrial use has also made PCE a frequent ground- and surface-water contaminant (U.S. EPA 2008), further contributing to low-level exposure among the general population (Brugnone et al. 1994).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He also believes more intensive ground surveys could identify asteroids closer to Earth, such as 10-meter objects that whizz through cislunar space on a frequent basis.

Huffington Post

When someone fell and was injured on a city sidewalk — the most frequent ground for a personal-injury lawsuit against the city — he could present the map in court as hard evidence of the city's liability.

The New York Times

Late Homework The Williamstown Theater Festival in Williamstown, Mass., a frequent breeding ground for Broadway, will announce its 2002 season today.

The New York Times

Wardak sits directly to the west of the capital, Kabul, and important roadways run through it, making it a frequent staging ground for insurgent attacks against Kabul.

The New York Times

He explained why Asia has been such a frequent breeding ground for new viruses, and described how the growth of civilization has helped facilitate the spread of disease: Few, if any, organisms have benefitted from travel more than viruses have.

The New Yorker

Six bodies, said to be members of the national army who had been executed with gunshots to the head, were found in a neighborhood that has become a frequent dumping ground for the victims of Benghazi's many unsolved crimes.

The New York Times

Efforts to restore forest structure to conditions that would permit a return to historical fire regimes, characterized by frequent ground fire, are hindered by the inability of managers and the public to compare the effects of alternative forest management practices on fire behavior and a host of other issues.

Landscape and Urban Planning

At active fault areas with many recent earthquakes (e.g., IM, HN, and AR), p(s) is considered to be at a higher level than in inactive seismic areas because of frequent ground motions that enhance strain and stress.

Earth, Planets and Space

Free flight lasted for 10 hours and 29 minutes and was followed by another 41 hours of bumpy ride with frequent ground contact before the inevitable final crash.

Wikipedia

And middle school kids there are like middle school kids everywhere, I learned quickly, when my Valley Girl twang became frequent grounds for ridicule and torment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a frequent ground", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a recurring reason, basis, or justification. Consider alternative phrases if clarity is a concern.

Common error

Avoid using "a frequent ground" when you actually mean a physical location or a common area. This phrase is more appropriate for abstract concepts like reasons or justifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a frequent ground" functions as a noun phrase, where "frequent" modifies the noun "ground". While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates it's not a common expression. It suggests a recurring or common basis for something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a frequent ground" is grammatically correct but not widely used in contemporary English. Ludwig indicates that it may sound awkward and suggests that alternatives might be preferable for clarity. Its function is to denote a recurring reason or basis. While understandable, consider using more common alternatives like "a common basis" or "a regular reason" to ensure clearer communication. As Ludwig also points out, the phrase's usage spans neutral registers, with occurrences in news, science and web content. It is important to ensure that your audience will understand your intention in using this phrase, as there are several other alternatives which are more clear and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common basis

Replaces "frequent" with "common", emphasizing the typicality of the ground.

a recurring reason

Substitutes "ground" with "reason", highlighting a repeated cause or justification.

a regular cause

Uses "regular" instead of "frequent", suggesting a consistent source or origin.

a typical justification

Replaces both "frequent" and "ground" to focus on a standard explanation.

a usual motive

Changes "ground" to "motive", indicating a customary incentive or drive.

a repeated argument

Emphasizes a reiterated point or assertion.

a familiar rationale

Uses "familiar" to convey the well-known nature of the rationale.

a prevalent foundation

Focuses on the widespread nature of the underlying base or principle.

a habitual pretext

Implies a customary excuse or false reason.

a standard explanation

Replaces "ground" with "explanation", suggesting a conventional reason.

FAQs

What does "a frequent ground" mean?

The phrase "a frequent ground" refers to a recurring reason, basis, or justification for something. It is not as commonly used as alternatives like "a common reason" or "a regular basis".

How can I use "a frequent ground" in a sentence?

You can use "a frequent ground" to explain a recurring reason or basis. For example, "In discussions about climate change, a frequent ground for debate is the impact of human activity on natural ecosystems."

Are there better alternatives to "a frequent ground"?

Yes, depending on the context, alternatives like "a common basis", "a recurring reason", or "a regular cause" might be clearer and more widely understood.

Is "a frequent ground" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a frequent ground" is grammatically correct, but it is not a commonly used phrase. While understandable, consider using more conventional alternatives for better clarity.