grounds but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grounds but" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to connect two contrasting ideas, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "The evidence was compelling, grounds but not sufficient to change the verdict."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It offers access to the grounds but not to exhibits.

The New York Times

Not on aesthetic grounds, but because of the smell.

The Economist

And not on ethical grounds but on pragmatic grounds.

The New York Times - Books

He dashed outdoors and searched grounds, but could find nobody.

The New Yorker

(American companies tend to use their own test tracks and proving grounds, but not always).

The New York Times

Some Republicans pressed Ashcroft to challenge Carnahan's election on legal grounds, but he demurred immediately.

The New Yorker

It justified the measure on counter-terrorism grounds, but critics scented racial discrimination.

The Economist

Males usually precede females to the breeding grounds, but sometimes they arrive together.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are get-outs for traditional fishing grounds, but they may be hard to invoke.

The Economist

Labor initially opposed the cut on equity grounds but backed the saving during the election campaign.

The Guardian

"His release has been ordered on humanitarian grounds but it is not because Simon is ill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express contrast, ensure that "grounds" is followed by a grammatically correct conjunction like "but" to connect contrasting ideas effectively. Consider alternatives like "reasons, yet" or "justifications, however" for enhanced clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "grounds but" as a standalone connector. It is grammatically incomplete and requires a full sentence structure to properly link contrasting ideas. Always ensure that the phrases it connects are complete and logical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds but" functions as a conjunction phrase, aiming to connect two contrasting ideas. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this connection lacks proper grammatical structure. It usually introduces a reason or justification that is then contrasted with another point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "grounds but" appears frequently across various sources like news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, it is grammatically questionable and aims to connect contrasting ideas. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase isn't grammatically correct and can be improved with alternatives for enhanced clarity. For better writing, ensure that "grounds" is followed by a grammatically complete conjunction or consider alternatives such as "reasons, yet" or "justifications, however" to maintain clarity and proper grammatical structure. Remember to avoid using "grounds but" as a standalone connector and instead, integrate it within a full sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rationale, but still

Adds emphasis to the continuing validity of the contrasting idea after stating the rationale.

grounds, yet

Replaces "but" with "yet", maintaining a contrasting relationship with a slightly more formal tone.

arguments, on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting argument or perspective.

reasons, however

Substitutes both words to offer a more formal and explicit contrasting conjunction.

considerations, despite this

Highlights that despite certain considerations, an opposing factor exists.

justifications, nevertheless

Replaces both words, emphasizing a stronger sense of contrast or concession.

premises, be that as it may

This more formally acknowledges premises before introducing a contrasting point.

basis, even so

This changes both words, indicating that despite a stated basis, something else is also true.

factors, even if

Acknowledges certain factors while introducing a condition that contrasts with them.

excuses, nonetheless

Implies that despite stated excuses, something contrary still applies.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "grounds" to express a contrast?

To properly convey a contrast using "grounds", use a construction like "on ethical "grounds but" on pragmatic grounds" or replace "but" with alternatives such as "yet" or "however".

What are some alternatives to using "grounds but"?

Instead of "grounds but", consider using phrases like "reasons, however", "justifications, nevertheless", or "basis, even so" to more clearly express a contrast.

Is "grounds but" grammatically correct?

The phrase "grounds but" is not grammatically correct on its own; it requires additional context and structuring to properly connect contrasting ideas. It's better to use complete constructions.

What is the difference between "grounds but" and "grounds, yet"?

"Grounds but" is grammatically incomplete. "Grounds, yet" is an improvement as it provides a stronger sense of contrast; however, ensure the entire sentence is grammatically sound for clarity.