ground that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ground that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to establishing a basis or foundation for something, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "We need to ground that idea in solid research before proceeding."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's only one ground that goes.

The New Yorker

(A rugby ground? That must have hurt).

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the middle ground that feels interesting".

The Guardian

Sow green manures into bare ground that has been watered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ground that was softening is hard under foot.

The New York Times

It just might have been the ground that did it.

The Guardian - Sport

There wasn't an inch of ground that wasn't covered.

The New York Times

"But when we started putting their big fellas on the ground, that stopped their momentum.

Independent

"That's the only spot in their hunting ground that has rat poison," Mr. Karim said.

The New York Times

"Background checks clearly stake out a middle ground that can save lives.

The New York Times

Rack, a bedlike open frame suspended above the ground that was used as a torture device.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a basis or justification, consider using more precise terms like "reason", "basis", or "justification" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "ground that" without clearly specifying what the "ground" is. For instance, instead of saying "the decision was made on the ground that it was necessary", specify the justification: "the decision was made because it was necessary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ground that" functions primarily as a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun, introducing a clause that provides a reason, justification, or explanation. Ludwig indicates this phrase, while common, is often used in ways that lack clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ground that" is used to introduce a reason or justification. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is often used in ways that lack clarity. While its frequency is high across diverse sources like news and media, scientific articles, and wikis, it often benefits from being replaced with more explicit and precise alternatives such as "because", "since", or "on the basis that". Ensuring the context is clear and the "ground" being referenced is well-defined will significantly improve the strength and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grounds that

Expresses the phrase in a plural form, implying more than one reason or justification.

reasons that

Indicates the multiple causes or explanations for a particular situation.

earth that

Replaces "ground" with "earth", referring to the physical material but in a more general sense.

land that

Replaces "ground" with "land", focusing on territory or property.

terrain that

Uses "terrain" instead of "ground", emphasizing the specific physical characteristics of an area.

reason that

Substitutes "ground" with "reason", shifting the context towards justification or cause.

basis that

Replaces "ground" with "basis", indicating a foundation or underlying principle.

premise that

Introduces the notion of an underlying assumption or supposition.

justification that

Highlights the act of providing reasons or evidence to support a claim.

motive that

Focuses on the reason or intention behind an action or decision.

FAQs

What does "ground that" mean in legal or formal contexts?

In legal or formal contexts, "ground that" often introduces the reason or basis for a decision, argument, or objection. It's similar to saying "based on the "reason that"" or "on the premise that".

How can I improve the clarity of sentences using "ground that"?

To improve clarity, replace "ground that" with more specific phrases such as "because", "since", "on the "basis that"", or "due to the fact that". This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the logical connection in your writing.

Is "ground that" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "ground that" can sometimes be grammatically ambiguous. It's crucial to ensure that the sentence structure is clear and that the "ground" being referenced is well-defined. Using alternatives like "the "reason that"" can often result in a more precise and grammatically sound sentence.

What are some common alternatives to "ground that" in academic writing?

In academic writing, stronger and more precise alternatives to "ground that" include "on the "basis that"", "based on the evidence that", "due to the fact that", or "in light of the fact that". These phrases add greater clarity and formality to your arguments.