capable of grounding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of grounding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability of something to provide a stable foundation or basis for an idea, argument, or system. Example: "The new theory is capable of grounding our understanding of complex phenomena in a more coherent framework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

First, he offers a refined extension of Plato's famous dilemma argument in "Euthyphro" to show that contrary to widespread opinion, theism is not in fact capable of grounding the ethical values that make life worthwhile.

The New York Times

Second, to show that secularism is capable of grounding these values, he offers a sophisticated account of how ethics could have evolved as a "social technology" — a set of optimally designed practices and norms — to satisfy basic human desires.

The New York Times

For it may seem that the beauty we attribute to material objects can never be real, by Reid's lights, given that no material object ever can have any of the mental perfections capable of grounding beauty.

SEP

Each actor is capable of grounding the more outlandish or contrived moments, which helps smooth over some of the sillier developments, but generally speaking, their characters are largely underdeveloped or given distressingly rudimentary character arcs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It has 90 smaller MiG-29s and some other aircraft capable of ground-attack missions, according to the latest edition of the "Military Balance" published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The Economist

As well as flying, vertical take-off and landing, the police car used by Rick Deckard - played by Harrison Ford - in Blade Runner is capable of ground travel.

BBC

Aerial gameplay was also changed, with the dragon now capable of ground combat.

Wikipedia

He told Valentine, the Mets' manager, that he was not capable of hitting after grounding out to end the eighth inning.

The New York Times - Sports

The system comprises specialized seismic sensors capable of detecting ground vibrations within a frequency range typical of lahars (30 80 Hz), a ground-based radio telemetry system for detection-signal transmission, and a combination of sirens, direct notification, and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) that utilizes NOAA weather radios for warning message dissemination (LaHusen[2005]; USGS[2013]).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

"It appears as though the opposition in Syria is now capable of holding ground, that they are able to bring the fight to the government forces".

The New York Times

In late August, the National Weather Service warned the metropolitan region and much of the Northeast about flood risks because of a rainy summer, brimming lakes and reservoirs, high-rising rivers and saturated woodlands and fields less capable of absorbing ground water than in drier summers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capable of grounding" when you want to emphasize the ability of something to provide a solid foundation or justification for an idea, belief, or system. For example, "The evidence is capable of grounding the theory."

Common error

Avoid using "capable of grounding" in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "able to support" or "can justify" might be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of grounding" functions as a verb phrase or adjectival phrase indicating the ability of something to serve as a foundation or justification. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe the capacity to provide a solid base for an argument or concept.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of grounding" is a verb phrase that describes the ability of something to provide a solid foundation or justification. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though somewhat formal. It appears primarily in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts, indicating its use in discussing theories, ethical values, or actions that require strong rationales. While not a highly frequent expression, its use is consistent with the purpose of providing a basis or reason.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of providing a basis for

Highlights the ability to act as a foundation.

able to establish

Focuses on the ability to set up or create a firm base.

able to substantiate

Emphasizes the ability to provide evidence or proof.

competent to provide a foundation for

Highlights competence in providing a foundational element.

able to provide a rationale for

Focuses on giving reasons or justification.

able to give a reason for

Focuses on providing a reason or explanation.

suitable for establishing

Focuses on the appropriateness for setting up something.

effective in justifying

Highlights the effectiveness in providing a justification.

sufficient to justify

Indicates adequacy in providing a reason or excuse.

adequate for rationalizing

Emphasizes the sufficiency in providing a rational explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "capable of grounding" in a sentence?

You can use "capable of grounding" to describe something that can provide a solid basis or justification for something else. For example: "The new data is "capable of grounding" the revised hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "capable of grounding"?

Alternatives include "able to substantiate", "able to establish", or "sufficient to justify", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "capable of grounding" compared to "able to support"?

"Capable of grounding" tends to be more formal and often implies a more rigorous or philosophical underpinning, whereas "able to support" is more general and can apply in a wider range of contexts.

What does it mean for a theory to be "capable of grounding" ethical values?

When a theory is described as ""capable of grounding"" ethical values, it means the theory can provide a fundamental basis or justification for those values, making them logically or philosophically coherent.