a legitimate ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a valid reason or justification for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee found that there was a legitimate ground for the appeal, allowing the case to be reconsidered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I do not accept this as a legitimate ground for restricting the right (to protest)," he added.

The Guardian

Likewise, promoting democracy as an abstract, universalist principle only undermines the sovereignty of the American people by rejecting national interests as a legitimate ground of foreign policy.

The New Yorker

Consent as a legitimate ground to process sensitive data is not new in the Regulation.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

In the context of military conscription, some legal systems regard conscientious objection as a legitimate ground for avoiding frontline military service.

SEP

My rejection is not based on envy, but on the disrespect this principle shows by regarding race as a legitimate ground for distribution.

SEP

Commenting on Judge Cataldo's ruling, New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman said the ruling "dramatizes the need to ensure that actual innocence is established as a legitimate ground for a hearing".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But she said she saw the access clause as a legitimate grounds for a fight.

The New York Times

"Because there is persuasive evidence that the entry suspension has a legitimate grounding in national security concerns, quite apart from any religious hostility, we must accept that independent justification," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

Huffington Post

Only one participant suggested that issues of choice reduce worthiness ("I felt guilty accessing it because my partner had chosen prior to me, having a vasectomy" – Kate), while another argued that already having children (seen as a choice after having 'met the need' to be a mother) could be a legitimate grounds for restriction.

BMC Health Services Research

I don't think there is any legitimate ground for parliament not to be consulted.

The Guardian

The Holocaust framework allowed one to put aside as irrelevant any legitimate grounds for criticizing Israel".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a legitimate ground" in contexts where you need to emphasize the validity and acceptability of a reason, particularly when addressing potential objections or challenges.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a legitimate ground" without providing adequate support or evidence. Overstating the legitimacy of a reason without backing it up can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate ground" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "legitimate" modifies the noun "ground". It serves to identify a valid or acceptable basis for an action, belief, or decision. As Ludwig shows, it is used to assert the existence of a valid reason.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate ground" is a noun phrase signifying a valid and acceptable reason or justification. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability in formal writing. While not overly common, it effectively conveys the presence of a sound basis for a claim or action. It appears mostly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide sufficient evidence to support the legitimacy of the ground you are presenting, and consider alternatives such as "a valid reason" or "a sound basis" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid basis

Replaces "legitimate ground" with more general terms for validity and foundation.

a valid justification

Simply replaces "ground" with the synonym "justification".

a justifiable reason

Substitutes "ground" with "reason" and uses "justifiable" to convey legitimacy.

a sound justification

Emphasizes the solidity and rationality of the justification.

a lawful basis

Replaces 'legitimate' with 'lawful' to specify legality as the validating factor.

a warranted cause

Uses 'warranted' to emphasize the justified nature of the cause.

a rightful justification

Emphasizes the 'rightful' or morally correct nature of the justification.

a permissible basis

Focuses on the permissibility or allowability of the basis.

an admissible reason

Highlights the acceptability and validity of the provided reason.

a defensible rationale

Emphasizes that the rationale can be defended or justified when challenged.

FAQs

What does "a legitimate ground" mean?

The phrase "a legitimate ground" refers to a reason or justification that is considered valid, acceptable, and often legally or ethically sound. It implies that there is a genuine basis for a particular action, decision, or belief.

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

You can use "a legitimate ground" to introduce or emphasize a valid reason for something. For example, "The court found "sufficient cause" for the investigation to proceed" or "National security concerns provided "a justifiable reason" for the travel restrictions."

What are some alternatives to "a legitimate ground"?

Some alternatives to "a legitimate ground" include "a valid reason", "a sound basis", "a justifiable cause", or "a lawful basis". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a legitimate ground" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when discussing legal, ethical, or policy-related issues where the validity of a reason or justification is critical. Ensure that the context warrants the use of such a formal expression and that you clearly articulate why the ground is considered legitimate.