a ground for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a ground for" is a grammatically correct part of a sentence and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a reason or justification for something. Example: The defendant's lack of intent is a ground for acquittal in this case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One image always acts as a ground for the rest.

The New Yorker

Infertility alone was not a ground for divorce.

The New York Times - Arts

[UPDATE] So how did this skepticism about race produce a ground for censorship in Arizona?

The New York Times

In western Europe and North America, adultery was traditionally a ground for divorce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And how does the weight of history become salient as a ground for subjective consciousness?

Cornell University

They can offer a ground for true social, environment and economic innovation.

The Guardian

Almost all the marriage and divorce laws of the country make leprosy a ground for divorce.

The Guardian

In fact, petitioner specifically disclaimed any intent to make the instruction now attacked a ground for a new trial.

Cornell University

Here is a ground for a general approach against terrorists, providing that a precise, nonpolitical definition can be developed.

The New York Times

To that end, I recently introduced legislation (A-10440) to add irreconcilable differences as a ground for divorce.

The New York Times

Government embarrassment, of course, is not a ground for withholding information – it is just the reason why information is withheld.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a ground for", ensure that the reason or justification you are presenting is clear and logically connected to the action or decision it supports.

Common error

Be mindful of the singular versus plural form. "A ground for" refers to a single reason, while "grounds for" suggests multiple reasons. Use the appropriate form depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ground for" functions as a prepositional phrase that often introduces a noun or noun phrase, serving to provide a reason, justification, or basis for something. Ludwig confirms that this expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a ground for" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a reason or justification. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common in English writing. It appears frequently in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications, making it suitable for various contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to use "a ground for" for singular reasons and "grounds for" for multiple reasons. Alternatives like "a reason for" or "a basis for" can be used to add variety to your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reason for

Replaces "ground" with "reason", emphasizing the justification aspect.

a basis for

Substitutes "ground" with "basis", highlighting the foundation or support it provides.

a foundation for

Focuses on the supportive or fundamental role it plays.

a justification for

Emphasizes the act of showing something to be right or reasonable.

a rationale for

Highlights the underlying principles or logic behind an action or decision.

a cause for

Focuses on the event or situation that leads to a particular outcome or feeling.

a justification to

Highlights permission to do something.

a motive for

Emphasizes the internal drive or reason behind an action.

a pretext for

Implies a reason that is not necessarily the real reason, often used in a negative context.

an excuse for

Suggests a reason that is often weak or inadequate, used to explain a fault or offense.

FAQs

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

"A ground for" is used to indicate a reason or justification. For example, "Lack of evidence is "a ground for" dismissal."

What's the difference between "a ground for" and "grounds for"?

"A ground for" refers to a single reason, while "grounds for" refers to multiple reasons. For instance, "There is "a ground for" concern" versus "There are "grounds for" optimism."

What can I say instead of "a ground for"?

Alternatives include "a reason for", "a basis for", or "a justification for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a ground for" formal or informal language?

"A ground for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, you might prefer alternatives like "a basis for" or "a rationale for" to lend a more sophisticated tone.