grounds on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grounds on which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the basis or reasons for a decision, argument, or belief. Example: "The committee provided the grounds on which they made their final decision regarding the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obstruction of justice is one of the grounds on which a president can be impeached.

The Telegraph

For the third week running, the grounds on which this did best were the creepy ones.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fairer grounds on which to judge a person's worth".

The New Yorker

None of the grounds on which the petitioner relies, except the first, require extended discussion.

Cornell University

Forget greenery or energy security, the grounds on which governments justify subsidising biofuels.

The Economist

And there are many other grounds on which Pope Benedict might be challenged.

The Economist

There are grounds on which to criticize "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti".

The New York Times

But debate about the grounds on which divorce might be allowed will be lengthy.

The Economist

The department does not accept the grounds on which the commissioner has come to his conclusion.

The Guardian

There are no legitimate grounds on which to oppose this additional layer of democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the grounds on which California and other blue states are challenging Trump may be firmer.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grounds on which" to introduce a formal or serious justification. In less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "reasons why" or "basis for".

Common error

Avoid overly complex sentence structures when using "grounds on which". Simplify by rephrasing the sentence to use a more direct construction. For example, instead of "The grounds on which the decision was based were complex", try "The decision was based on complex grounds."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds on which" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a relative clause, specifying the reasons or basis for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It often connects a noun or pronoun to the reasons behind an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grounds on which" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce the reasons or justifications behind a decision, action, or belief. It functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and accepted. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure the link between the "grounds on which" and the subsequent action is clear, and avoid overly complex sentence structures for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis for which

Emphasizes the underlying foundation or reason.

reasons for which

Directly indicates the causes or explanations.

justifications for which

Focuses on the defenses or validations provided.

rationale behind

Highlights the logical reasoning or principles.

underlying reasons for

Stresses the fundamental or less obvious causes.

on what basis

A more concise way to ask about the foundation.

by what justification

Emphasizes the act of justifying or defending.

the why behind

A more informal way to ask about the reasons.

the principles underlying

Focuses on the fundamental beliefs or values.

the cause of

Indicates the direct reason or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "grounds on which" in a sentence?

Use "grounds on which" to introduce the reasons or justifications for a particular decision, action, or belief. For example: "These are the "grounds on which" we based our decision."

What are some alternatives to "grounds on which"?

Alternatives include "basis for which", "reasons for which", or "justifications for which", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "grounds on which" or "reasons why"?

"Grounds on which" is generally more formal than "reasons why". Use "grounds on which" in official or academic writing, while "reasons why" is suitable for more casual contexts.

Can "grounds on which" be used to express disagreement?

Yes, "grounds on which" can be used to express disagreement by outlining the reasons for opposition or challenge. For example: "These are the "grounds on which" we disagree with the proposal."