give ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"give ground" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which one party yields or retreats in the face of an opposing force. For example, "The enemy troops were forced to give ground as our forces advanced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Someone has to give ground".

The New York Times

But Mr Daniels refused to give ground.

Independent

But neither would give ground.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Macron refused to give ground.

The New York Times

Intervening could give ground to Iran.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both men appeared unwilling to give ground to the other.

The New York Times

There's no sign Molotov will give ground on anything now.

The New Yorker

Lenders have been forced to give ground in some states.

The New York Times

The European Parliament is reluctant to give ground.

The New York Times

"It's been so reflexive since he was elected, to just give ground and give ground," Solomon told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

And on electoral reform, the Conservatives would never give ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give ground" when you want to convey a sense of strategic retreat or yielding in a negotiation, argument, or physical conflict. It implies a deliberate decision to concede some advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "give ground" when describing a situation where someone is simply wrong or mistaken. "Give ground" suggests a strategic decision to concede, not just an admission of error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give ground" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a retreat, concession, or yielding of a position or argument. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this idiom is frequently employed to describe situations where one party yields to another. Examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from military strategy to political negotiations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give ground" is a versatile idiom used to describe yielding, retreating, or making concessions in various scenarios, from physical conflicts to negotiations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence across different contexts. It's grammatically sound, primarily functioning as a phrasal verb with a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "yield" or "concede" exist, "give ground" specifically conveys a strategic or deliberate retreat. The phrase is very common, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Avoid using it to simply state facts, as the expression is a deliberate choice to concede. It is important to understand the nuances of this expression to apply it accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yield

A more concise and direct way of saying "give ground", implying a surrender of position or argument.

concede

Focuses on admitting defeat or acknowledging the validity of an opponent's point.

retreat

Implies a physical withdrawal or a withdrawal from a previously held position or belief.

back down

Indicates a change of mind or position, usually under pressure.

give way

Suggests yielding to pressure or force, often reluctantly.

capitulate

A stronger term implying unconditional surrender.

relent

Indicates a softening of stance or attitude, suggesting a reduction in severity.

surrender

A complete and formal yielding of control or position.

lose ground

Emphasizes the loss of advantage or progress, contrasting with actively giving it up.

make concessions

Involves compromising by granting something to the other side, usually in negotiations.

FAQs

How to use "give ground" in a sentence?

You can use "give ground" to describe a retreat or concession, as in, "The company had to give ground on some demands during negotiations".

What can I say instead of "give ground"?

You can use alternatives like "yield", "concede", or "retreat" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "give ground" or "giving ground"?

"Give ground" is the base form. "Giving ground" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are giving ground").

What's the difference between "give ground" and "lose ground"?

"Give ground" implies a deliberate yielding, while "lose ground" describes a situation where progress or advantage is diminished, often unintentionally. You give ground by choice; you lose ground by circumstance.