grounds for refusal

USAGE SUMMARY

"grounds for refusal" is a common phrase used in written English.
It is used to refer to reasons why someone can be refused something, whether that be a request, an offer, immigration status, etc. For example: "The airline rejected the application due to lack of appropriate documentation, which they cited as grounds for refusal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr Cable said: "The licences were granted because at the time there were no grounds for refusal".

Independent

Drafted in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks, it lowered the standard of evidence that America has to present when it asks Britain to ship someone over, with only limited grounds for refusal.

The Economist

Planning officers carried out an environmental report and found the noise level did not exceed tolerable limits or give sufficient grounds for refusal.

BBC

Typically, the person is told of the grounds for refusal, but not the details.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is not the first time France has cited the niqab – a veil that leaves only the wearer's eyes showing – as grounds for the refusal of citizenship.

The Guardian

While moral objections to strip clubs can't be used as grounds for license refusal, it's hard to suggest they don't play a part.

Vice

While moral objections to strip clubs can't be used as grounds for licence refusal, it's hard to suggest they don't play a part.

Vice

Commonest reason for refusal was 'feeling unwell'.

Plosone

In case of refusal, their data is recorded along with the reason for refusal (where possible).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

It was the grounds of refusal that was the most galling part.

The Guardian - Money

In case of refusal, only age and socio-economic status were documented along with the key reason(s) for refusal.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grounds for refusal", ensure the reasons provided are specific, clear, and justifiable within the given context. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "grounds for refusal" as a blanket statement without providing concrete evidence or specific details to support the refusal. Always substantiate the reasons with relevant information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds for refusal" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the reasons or justifications that support a decision to deny or reject something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to explain the rationale behind a refusal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grounds for refusal" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the reasons or justifications behind a decision to deny something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly employed in formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific studies, and legal documentation. While alternatives like "reasons for denial" or "justifications for rejection" exist, "grounds for refusal" carries a more formal tone. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to ensure the refusal is well-supported and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reasons for denial

Replaces "refusal" with "denial", focusing on the act of being denied.

Justifications for rejection

Substitutes "grounds" with "justifications" and "refusal" with "rejection", emphasizing the act of justifying a rejection.

Basis for non-acceptance

Uses a more formal tone by replacing "refusal" with "non-acceptance", indicating a formal rejection.

Valid reasons to decline

Rephrases the concept to focus on having valid reasons for declining something.

Legitimate reasons to reject

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes the legitimacy of the reasons.

Causes for disapproval

Focuses on the reasons leading to a state of disapproval rather than outright refusal.

Rationale behind the rejection

Highlights the logical reasoning supporting the act of rejecting something.

Underlying reasons for declining

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious reasons behind declining an offer or request.

Motives for turning down

Replaces "refusal" with "turning down", focusing on the motivation behind declining.

Explanations for the negative response

Offers a broader perspective, focusing on explaining the reasons behind any negative response.

FAQs

How can I use "grounds for refusal" in a sentence?

You can use "grounds for refusal" to explain the reasons why something was denied. For example, "Lack of funding was cited as the "grounds for refusal" of the project proposal".

What are some alternatives to "grounds for refusal"?

Alternatives include "reasons for denial", "justifications for rejection", or "basis for non-acceptance", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "grounds for refusal" and "reasons for refusal"?

"Grounds for refusal" often implies a more formal or legalistic justification, while "reasons for refusal" can be more general and informal. Both refer to the underlying explanations for a denial.

Is it appropriate to use "grounds for refusal" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "grounds for refusal" is more commonly used in formal writing or professional settings. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "reasons" or "explanations" might be more appropriate.