grounds upon which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grounds upon 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 upon which they made their final decision regarding the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the grounds upon which contempts are punished are impersonal.

Cornell University

There is a growing tendency all over the world to disguise the real grounds upon which 'non-conformists' are imprisoned.

The Guardian

In other words, what are the epistemic and ethical grounds upon which our relation to the future can unfold?

The New York Times

The application for rehearing shall set forth specifically the ground or grounds upon which such application is based.

Cornell University

Rep. 654. the grounds upon which the Federal court was held to be without jurisdiction are not important here.

Cornell University

In this connection I must also draw attention to the grounds upon which the ban was imposed – namely that real editorial control of the station remained in Tehran.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bill sought to expand human-rights law by adding "gender identity and gender expression" to the list of grounds upon which discrimination is prohibited.

The New Yorker

The agreement gives countries "the freedom to determine the grounds upon which such licenses are granted," particularly for public health crises like AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other epidemics.

The New York Times

Tasting it, I think the entire Indian subcontinent would have grounds upon which to sue the restaurant for defamation of its good name.

The New Yorker

The grounds upon which we rely for an injunction are essentially four, and I will come to those in a moment.

The New Yorker

Ms. Palm asked Mr. Simpson repeatedly if he had been drinking before the robbery, one of the many grounds upon which Mr. Simpson is seeking a new trial.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grounds upon which" when you need a formal and precise way to introduce the reasons or justification for a decision, argument, or belief. This phrase is particularly effective in legal, academic, and official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "grounds upon which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "reasons for" or "basis for" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds upon which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing the basis, reasons, or justification for a claim, decision, or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It often serves to connect a statement with its supporting evidence or rationale.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

News & Media

43%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grounds upon which" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase primarily employed in formal contexts such as academia, news media, and science. Ludwig AI indicates its function is to introduce the reasons, justifications, or basis for a statement, decision, or argument. While "grounds upon which" is suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives like "reasons for" or "basis for" are often more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic publications underscores its credibility and utility in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis on which

Slightly more concise; focuses on the foundation or support for something.

reasons for which

Emphasizes the rationale or explanations behind a decision or action.

the rationale behind

Focuses on the logical reasons that support a decision or belief.

the justification for

Highlights the reasons given to defend or support an action or belief.

justifications for which

Highlights the defense or vindication of a particular stance or action.

foundation for which

Implies a fundamental principle or idea serving as the basis.

the underlying reasons

Emphasizes the fundamental or less obvious causes or motivations.

pretext for which

Suggests a deceptive or concealed reason.

the why of which

Informal way to refer to reasons. Implies a question or search for understanding.

on what account

More formal and archaic; implies a specific reason or cause.

FAQs

How to use "grounds upon which" in a sentence?

Use "grounds upon which" to introduce the reasons or justifications for something. For example, "The appeal was rejected on the "grounds upon which" the evidence was deemed inadmissible."

What can I say instead of "grounds upon which"?

You can use alternatives like "basis for", "reasons for", or "justification for" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "grounds upon which"?

It is most appropriate in formal writing, legal documents, academic papers, and other situations where precision and formality are required. In casual contexts, simpler alternatives are preferred.

What is the difference between "grounds upon which" and "basis for"?

While both phrases indicate the reason or justification, "grounds upon which" is generally more formal and emphasizes a legal or official context, whereas "basis for" is more general and can be used in a wider range of situations.