adequate grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adequate grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing sufficient reasons or justifications for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee found adequate grounds to proceed with the investigation based on the evidence presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Do we therefore have adequate grounds to share Mr. Wattenberg's optimism?

The New York Times - Books

It's not a meaningful result and certainly not adequate grounds for such sweeping conclusions about national opinion in Syria.

The Guardian

Holding unpopular beliefs or behaving in unconventional, yet legal, ways are not adequate grounds for interfering with citizen's liberty.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In comments to reporters, Mr. Clinton said he had long questioned whether prosecutors had adequate grounds to keep Dr. Lee in jail for nine months awaiting trial.

The New York Times

Supreme court judges "reluctantly" told her she must remain his wife, because a joyless marriage is not adequate grounds for a divorce if one spouse refuses to agree.

The Guardian

Certainly the presence of a pile of filth in the back yard combined with the rundown condition of the house gave adequate grounds for such suspicion.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Applying that rule, we find no adequate ground for reversal.

Cornell University

Assumption A. That the USSR will remove the IL-28s and will arrange adequate ground inspection.

Yale University

The threat of punishment is not a logically adequate ground for moral behaviour, even if it is prudent to avoid punishment by behaving as ordered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Luhrmann wants to create huge, throbbing set pieces, but he never establishes an adequate ground of normal reality from which those pieces would be an exultant relief.

The New Yorker

The network is being established jointly by GFZ and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to ensure adequate ground data availability for processing of globally distributed GPS occultation events.

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part A: Solid Earth and Geodesy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adequate grounds", ensure the context clearly indicates what the grounds are adequate for, providing a specific purpose or action that the grounds justify.

Common error

Avoid presenting "adequate grounds" as if they constitute absolute proof or certainty. Instead, acknowledge that they provide sufficient justification for a specific action, but further investigation or evidence may still be needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequate grounds" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes the existence of sufficient reasons or justifications for a particular action, belief, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adequate grounds" is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase used to denote sufficient reasons or justifications. According to Ludwig AI, it commonly appears in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts, showing a neutral to formal register. The phrase serves to provide a rational basis for actions or decisions. While not extremely common, its usage is well-established in authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions. When employing "adequate grounds", clarify the context by specifying what these grounds are adequate for, avoiding overstatements that suggest absolute certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient justification

Emphasizes the adequacy of the justification provided.

reasonable basis

Highlights the rationality and logic behind the foundation.

valid reason

Focuses on the legitimacy and correctness of the rationale.

justifiable cause

Stresses the fairness and appropriateness of the reason.

ample evidence

Highlights the abundance of supporting facts or data.

sufficient evidence

Focuses on the evidence provided, which is enough to give rise to believe something.

legitimate reason

Underlines the lawfulness and acceptability of the motive.

proper cause

Refers to a reason that is not only valid but also aligned with ethical standards.

well-founded reason

Indicates that the reason has solid support and is carefully considered.

good cause

Emphasizes that the reason is morally sound and compelling.

FAQs

How can I use "adequate grounds" in a sentence?

Use "adequate grounds" to indicate that there's a sufficient basis or justification for something. For example: "The committee found adequate grounds to proceed with the investigation."

What can I say instead of "adequate grounds"?

You can use alternatives like "sufficient justification", "reasonable basis", or "valid reason" depending on the context.

Is it formal to use "adequate grounds"?

The phrase "adequate grounds" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It appears frequently in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

What is the difference between "adequate grounds" and "sufficient grounds"?

While "adequate grounds" and "sufficient grounds" are often interchangeable, "sufficient grounds" might suggest a slightly higher threshold of justification than "adequate grounds".