could not ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where grounding or establishing a basis for something is not possible, often in technical or metaphorical discussions. Example: "The experiment failed because we could not ground our hypothesis in existing research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Those areas, according to Birchenough, made it difficult to know where players could and could not ground their club.

The New York Times - Sports

But the mercurial Kiwis' scrum-half could not ground the ball, meaning his side fell desperately short.

The Guardian - Sport

Gavin Cooper could not ground a loose ball in goal, Antonio Winterstein spilled a catch from a drop out and Broncos recruit Ben Hannant knocked on in an attacking raid, releasing pressure the Cowboys were able to build.

The Guardian - Sport

If there are no merely possible tokens, then facts about them could not ground facts about the corresponding types.

SEP

The Leeds winger could not ground cleanly, however, thanks to a brave defensive effort from Leuluai, who injured his ankle in the process.

BBC

After another relentless period of pressure, D'Arcy - with Wilson and Diggin getting boots and arms underneath him, could not ground the ball in the right corner, after a lengthy review process by the television official.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She could not grind millet, she could not prepare a staple sauce made from baobab leaves, and she could barely cook rice.

The New York Times

As the glass tide of luxury has risen around it, the bar remained a symbol of defiance and hope, a sign that the bastards could not grind us all down.

Huffington Post

And so it couldn't ground the completely general thesis of mental anomalism.

SEP

I couldn't grind out any harder than that.

The Guardian - Sport

I could saw there but I couldn't grind and everything had to be lugged upstairs".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not ground" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly defines what "ground" refers to, whether it's an electrical connection, a logical argument, or a physical landing.

Common error

Avoid using "could not ground" in situations where a more precise verb would better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "the theory could not ground itself", consider "the theory lacked empirical support" to be more specific.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "could not ground" is to express an inability or impossibility to establish a foundation, base, or connection. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not ground" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the inability to establish a basis or foundation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is applicable in various contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources, showing a neutral to formal register. While there aren't many examples, the phrase serves to explain a failure to establish a foundation. When writing, ensure clarity in defining what is meant by "ground" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to establish

Replaces the modal verb "could" with "was able", changing the tense and adding "establish" for a more formal tone.

was incapable of grounding

Replaces "could not" with "was incapable of", emphasizing a lack of inherent ability.

failed to base

Focuses on the failure to use something as a foundation, replacing "ground" with "base".

lacked the ability to ground

Highlights the absence of a specific skill or capacity to establish a foundation.

could not substantiate

Implies a lack of evidence or support, using "substantiate" to replace "ground".

was not in a position to ground

Indicates a situational constraint preventing the grounding or basing of something.

could not justify

Indicates an inability to provide a valid reason or basis for something.

could not touch down

Describes the inability to land, with "touch down" indicating the grounding of an aircraft.

were unable to set foot

Offers a more literal alternative for scenarios where physical grounding is involved, shifting focus to the act of stepping.

could not moor

Refers to the inability to secure a vessel, using "moor" as a synonym for grounding a ship.

FAQs

How can I use "could not ground" in a sentence?

Use "could not ground" when something was impossible to establish, base, or connect to a foundation. For instance, "The argument "could not ground" itself in verifiable facts".

What are some alternatives to "could not ground"?

Alternatives include phrases like "failed to base", "unable to establish", or "could not substantiate", depending on the specific context.

Is "could not ground" formal or informal?

"Could not ground" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "was unable to establish" for greater precision.

Which is correct, "could not ground" or "cannot ground"?

Both "could not ground" and "cannot ground" are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Could not ground" refers to a past inability, while "cannot ground" refers to a present inability.