be groundless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be groundless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a claim, belief, or accusation that lacks evidence or justification. Example: "The allegations against him were proven to be groundless after a thorough investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

She goes on to say that de Sade knew the charges against Isabeau to be groundless, admitting to "being perfectly aware that the charges against the queen are without ground".

Wikipedia

Electoral authorities investigated and found the claims to be groundless.

The Economist

All such worries turned out to be groundless.

The New Yorker

An allegation that the anaesthetist had been negligent was shown to be groundless.

Engineering Failure Analysis

He said he had investigated the allegations and found them to be groundless.

Independent

We have investigated the allegations made by the commission and have found them to be groundless.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Engaging groundlessness is moving into the discomfort of being groundless and working with that instability.

BMC Nursing

"The accusations were groundless".

The New York Times

My fears were groundless.

The Guardian

Any worries were groundless.

The New York Times - Books

It's groundless".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be groundless" to describe claims, fears, or allegations that lack evidence or have been disproven by investigation. It adds a formal and authoritative tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be groundless" to describe physical objects or situations. This phrase is specifically used for abstract concepts like accusations or worries that lack a factual basis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be groundless" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, typically following a linking verb such as "is", "are", "was", "were", "seems", or "appears". It describes a noun or pronoun, indicating that it lacks a solid basis or justification. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be groundless" is a versatile phrase used to express that something—typically a claim, fear, or allegation—lacks a valid foundation or evidence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, denoting a neutral register. While alternatives like ""be unfounded"" and "be baseless" exist, "be groundless" adds a specific nuance of having been disproven or lacking justification after scrutiny. Remember to use it for abstract concepts, not physical objects, to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unfounded

Emphasizes the lack of a solid base or foundation for a claim or belief.

be baseless

Highlights the absence of any factual or logical basis.

be without foundation

Stresses the absence of a supporting structure or evidence.

be unsupported

Focuses on the lack of evidence or confirmation for a statement.

be unsubstantiated

Indicates that a claim has not been proven or verified.

be lacking substance

Suggests that something is empty or without real content.

be without merit

Indicates that something has no value or worth.

be untenable

Highlights that a position or argument cannot be defended or maintained.

hold no water

Suggests that an argument or claim is weak and unconvincing.

not stand up to scrutiny

Emphasizes that something fails when examined carefully.

FAQs

How can I use "be groundless" in a sentence?

Use "be groundless" to describe claims, fears, or allegations that lack evidence or have been disproven. For example, "The allegations against him were proven to "be groundless" after a thorough investigation."

What's the difference between "be groundless" and "be unfounded"?

"Be groundless" and "be unfounded" are similar, both indicating a lack of foundation. However, "be groundless" often implies that an investigation or analysis has shown the claim to be false, while "be unfounded" simply suggests a lack of supporting evidence. You can use "be unfounded" if you want to suggest there is no proof to support it at all.

What are some alternatives to saying "be groundless"?

You can use alternatives like "be baseless", ""be unfounded"", or "be unsubstantiated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always negative to say something "is groundless"?

Yes, stating that something "is groundless" always carries a negative connotation. It implies that a claim, fear, or belief lacks any valid foundation or evidence and is therefore not credible or justifiable.