have no grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"have no grounds" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase typically refers to having no justification, facts or evidence to support a certain claim, opinion, or decision. For example: "The court ruled that the defendant had no grounds to claim self-defense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Ball's brother Steve said: "He can have no grounds for optimism.

Independent

If so, American manufacturers have no grounds to complain about the yuan.

The Economist

As things now stand, German officials say they have no grounds to block payments.

The New York Times

But we have no grounds for supposing that he will be personally victimized upon his return.

The New York Times

But we have no grounds to feel superior in our supposedly enlightened societies.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are right to believe we have no grounds for feeling superior.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I hope that they [the British] won't help fan political scandals which have no grounds".

The Guardian

On the face of it, the protesters have no grounds to be angry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Birmingham's players have no grounds for demanding double time for working on a bank holiday.

The Guardian - Sport

I am not claiming that those who reject the personhood of a fertilized egg have no grounds for opposing abortion.

The New York Times

This allows police to detain individuals at ports and airports even if they have no grounds of suspicion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have no grounds" to express the absence of a legitimate reason, justification, or factual basis for a claim, action, or feeling. Ensure the context clearly indicates what lacks justification.

Common error

Avoid using "ground" instead of "grounds." "Grounds" in this context refers to reasons or justification, whereas "ground" refers to land or a physical surface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have no grounds" functions as a declarative expression, asserting that there is a lack of valid reasons, justifications, or factual bases for a particular claim, action, or belief. As Ludwig AI explains, the expression indicates a lack of support or evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have no grounds" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the absence of valid reasons or justification for something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for written English and typically denotes a lack of factual basis or support. Predominantly found in News & Media, as well as Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Alternative phrases like "lack justification" or "are baseless" offer similar meanings, though "have no grounds" is widely accepted and understood. A key writing tip is to use the correct plural form, "grounds", to refer to reasons. In summary, "have no grounds" is a versatile phrase for expressing a lack of justification in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack justification

This alternative directly replaces "have no grounds" with a more formal term meaning the absence of a valid reason or excuse.

have no basis

Focuses on the absence of a foundation or support for a claim or action, similar to not having valid reasons.

have no justification

Directly states the absence of a valid reason or excuse, emphasizing the lack of a defensible basis.

lack foundation

Similar to "have no basis", this emphasizes the absence of a supporting structure or evidence.

are baseless

Similar to "have no basis", this emphasizes the absence of a foundation or support for an idea or claim.

are without merit

Indicates that claims or arguments possess no value or worth, suggesting a lack of substance.

are unsubstantiated

Indicates that claims or allegations are not supported by evidence, implying a lack of proof.

are unwarranted

Highlights that actions or beliefs are not justified or authorized, implying a lack of legitimacy.

cannot be defended

Focuses on the inability to justify or protect an action or decision, highlighting its vulnerability to criticism.

do not hold water

This idiomatic expression suggests that arguments or explanations are weak and unconvincing, unable to withstand scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "have no grounds" in a sentence?

You can use "have no grounds" to indicate a lack of justification. For example: "The appeal was rejected because they "have no grounds" for a retrial."

What's a formal alternative to "have no grounds"?

A more formal alternative to "have no grounds" is to say the claim "lacks justification" or "is unwarranted" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to "have no grounds"?

To "have no grounds" means that there is no valid reason, basis, or justification for something, such as a belief, action, or legal claim.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has no grounds"?

Yes, "has no grounds" is grammatically correct when referring to a singular subject. For example: "She "has no grounds" to complain."