acceptable grounds for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acceptable grounds for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or justifications that are deemed appropriate or valid for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee found that there were acceptable grounds for granting the appeal based on new evidence presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She would feel "too ashamed".Until recently physical abuse was not even acceptable grounds for divorce in China.

The Economist

The city listed a few acceptable grounds for granting a permit having a job that involved carrying large amounts of cash, for example—but it also stated, "Simply fearing for one's personal safety alone is not considered good cause".

The New Yorker

The Supreme Court has gradually narrowed the acceptable grounds for affirmative action since 1978, when it found, in the Bakke case, that racial quotas could not be used in university admissions.

The New Yorker

Allowing fat to become the last socially acceptable grounds for discrimination – and all too often a sly backhand way of having a crack at the poor, since the two are increasingly lumped together in the public and political imagination – would be not just cruel but counterproductive.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't believe a sit-down protest at a government office is acceptable grounds for the wholesale violation of the human right to privacy".

Vice

Or, "What are the acceptable grounds for remarriage after divorce (or annulment)?" Are they extremely limited, according to the traditional consensus that held until the divorce rates shot up after World War 2, or are they more accommodating as virtually every major tradition, including conservative ones, now claims?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Contact your local mediation service to explore whether mediation can bring you and your landlord together to set some mutually acceptable ground rules for guests in your apartment and avoid a costly legal dispute for both sides.

Los Angeles Times

As Cuccinelli explained, the court's decision to reject the Constitution's Commerce Clause as acceptable legal grounds for Congress' imposition of the individual insurance mandate was the big victory for "the liberty side".

Huffington Post

The connection to the block binds the dish to an acceptable grounded point in the main building ground, such as an enclosure for electrical service equipment or a metallic service raceway.

WikiHow

Finally, since it's unrealistic to expect colleges to ban frat parties altogether, this might be an acceptable middle ground for the pro-fraternity alumni that line the trustee boards and donor networks of many higher education institutions.

Huffington Post

But consider the weaker thesis that an acceptable analogy is sufficient to establish that a theory is "valuable", or (to qualify still further) that an acceptable analogy provides defeasible grounds for taking the theory seriously.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "acceptable grounds for", ensure that the context clearly defines who or what determines the acceptability. For example, "acceptable grounds for divorce" should specify which legal system's criteria are being applied.

Common error

Avoid using "acceptable grounds for" without specifying the context or criteria for acceptability. Stating that something is "acceptable" without reference can lead to misinterpretation or lack of clarity. Instead, provide the specific standard or authority that defines acceptability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acceptable grounds for" functions as a prepositional phrase often used to introduce the reasons or justifications that are deemed valid or permissible within a specific context. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. This phrase typically modifies a noun or verb, providing the rationale behind a decision, action, or belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acceptable grounds for" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce valid or permissible reasons in various contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for a range of situations, but care should be taken to ensure the context for acceptability is specified to prevent ambiguity. While not exceedingly frequent, it appears consistently in news, wiki, and scientific sources. Alternatives like "permissible grounds for" and "valid reasons for" offer similar meanings and could be used depending on the specific nuance required. The quality score suggests that sources using this phrase are generally reliable, making it a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid grounds for

Emphasizes the legitimacy and correctness of the reasons.

permissible grounds for

Replaces "acceptable" with "permissible", indicating allowance.

allowable grounds for

Uses "allowable" instead of "acceptable", emphasizing permissibility.

sufficient grounds for

Highlights that the grounds are adequate or enough.

reasonable grounds for

Emphasizes that the grounds are logical and sensible.

suitable grounds for

Focuses on the appropriateness of the grounds in a given situation.

acceptable justifications for

Substitutes "grounds" with "justifications", focusing on the reasons behind an action.

satisfactory grounds for

Indicates that the grounds meet a certain standard of quality.

legitimate basis for

Replaces "grounds" with "basis" implying a legal or formal foundation.

acceptable reasons for

Replaces "grounds" with the more common term "reasons".

FAQs

What does "acceptable grounds for" mean?

The phrase "acceptable grounds for" refers to reasons or justifications that are considered valid, permissible, or satisfactory according to a particular standard, set of rules, or authority.

How can I use "acceptable grounds for" in a sentence?

You can use "acceptable grounds for" to introduce the reasons why something is considered valid or permissible. For instance, "The judge determined there were "valid grounds for" appeal based on the new evidence presented".

What are some alternatives to "acceptable grounds for"?

Alternatives include "permissible grounds for", "valid reasons for", or "justifiable basis for depending on the context".

Is "acceptable grounds for" formal or informal language?

The phrase "acceptable grounds for" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for use in professional, legal, or academic contexts.