ground upon which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ground upon which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a basis or foundation for an argument, belief, or action. Example: "The decision was made on the ground upon which the evidence was presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Appellants in this regard, therefore, have no ground upon which to base a complaint.

Cornell University

But it turns out that there is a broad swath of common ground upon which to build a fruitful compromise.

MIT Technology Review

She sees and understands, but her counsel is never sought and she has no ground upon which to act.

The New York Times

The elegant terrace, also still standing, occupies the ground upon which Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre once stood.

The Guardian

Existentialists have seen Kafka's environment of guilt and despair as the ground upon which to construct an authentic existence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a 1958 speech, later printed in Harper's magazine, he called it "the ground upon which I learned to stand".

The New York Times

Moammar Gaddafi's fall, combined with the prominence of armed militias, left Libya without a functioning state and little solid ground upon which to build a new political order.

The Washington Post

After a brilliant 20 minutes, Blue Ruin has not only covered but largely overturned the ground upon which most revenge thrillers would expend their entire running time.

The Guardian - Film

The five-judge appellate chamber rejected every ground upon which the defense contested the Dec. 10, 1998, judgment against the former commander, Anto Furundzija, 31.

The New York Times

It is to remember that they died, the men and women of this community, in their thousands, in faraway lands, interred in the ground upon which they perished.

The Guardian

But what have things come to that this is the ground upon which a political party chooses to fight a vital election?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by explicitly connecting what stands on the "ground upon which" with what the ground represents. Avoid vagueness to maintain the logical flow of your argument.

Common error

While versatile, "ground upon which" might sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ground upon which" functions as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a subordinate clause that specifies the reason, basis, or foundation for something. This is consistent with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ground upon which" is a prepositional phrase used to denote the basis or foundation for an argument, decision, or action. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains. It is most prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. While versatile, writers should consider the formality of "ground upon which" and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. This expression is best used to introduce concepts or justifications that critically underpin an argument, ensuring clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis on which

Replaces "ground" with "basis", emphasizing the fundamental support or reason.

foundation for

Substitutes "ground upon which" with a direct reference to a foundational element.

reason for

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the causal factor or justification.

justification for

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

rationale behind

Emphasizes the underlying logic or set of principles guiding a decision or action.

premise of

Highlights the initial assumption or proposition that serves as the basis for reasoning.

point of departure

Indicates the starting point or initial consideration in a discussion or argument.

underlying principle

Focuses on the fundamental rule or belief that guides action or thought.

source of

Identifies the origin or cause from which something arises or is derived.

the support for

Directly refers to the backing or evidence that validates a claim or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "ground upon which" in a sentence?

Use "ground upon which" to introduce the basis or justification for a claim, decision, or action. For example: "The decision was made on the "ground upon which" the new evidence was presented."

What's a simpler way to say "ground upon which"?

Alternatives include "because of", "due to", or "based on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "ground on which" or "ground upon which"?

"Ground upon which" is more formal and emphasizes the foundation or basis more strongly. "Ground on which" is a slightly more streamlined alternative, but both are grammatically correct. The choice depends on your desired level of formality.

Can "ground upon which" refer to a physical location?

While primarily used metaphorically to describe the basis for an argument or decision, "ground upon which" can occasionally refer to the physical ground where something is situated, as in: "The monument stands on the "ground upon which" the battle was fought."