insufficient grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"insufficient grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that there isn't enough evidence or justification to take a specific action. For example: After reviewing the case, the judge ruled that there were insufficient grounds to prosecute the defendant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Note the "probably:" That's insufficient grounds for extrajudicial execution.

The New York Times

Thus, anthropologists had insufficient grounds for generalizing, which is what theories or conceptual schema do.

University of California, Berkeley

A reliance on supplier guarantees struck me as insufficient grounds to market a product as ethical.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But in the past the British police said they had insufficient grounds to arrest him.

The New York Times

After a review, prosecutors said they had insufficient grounds to proceed against him.

The New York Times

Israel's attorney general had advised that there were insufficient grounds to disqualify Zoabi.

The Guardian

To be merely a superb lecturer was insufficient grounds for the modest promotion to senior lecturer.

The Guardian

Police also said there were "insufficient grounds" to charge Cain with jaywalking.

The Washington Post

Administration officials have said that being under investigation was insufficient grounds to deny Loral a license.

The New York Times

I consider being related to a friend of Putin's insufficient grounds to lead a region.

The New York Times

The chair, councillor Alan Hall, delivered a devastating verdict, citing "insufficient grounds for a compelling case in the public interest".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient grounds", clearly specify what the grounds are insufficient for. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid implying that "insufficient grounds" automatically equates to wrongdoing. It simply means the evidence or justification doesn't meet the required threshold.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insufficient grounds" is to serve as a noun phrase acting as an object of a verb or preposition, indicating a lack of adequate justification or reason. Ludwig AI affirms this usage, showcasing various examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient grounds" is a commonly used phrase indicating a lack of adequate justification or reason. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, including news, academia, and formal settings. Its primary function is to express a judgment about the inadequacy of evidence or justification. While suitable for formal writing, clarity is enhanced by specifying what the grounds are insufficient for. Related phrases include "inadequate justification" and "lack of sufficient evidence". Be mindful not to overstate the implications of "insufficient grounds", as it doesn't automatically imply wrongdoing. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing a lack of sufficient support for a claim or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate justification

Replaces 'grounds' with 'justification', focusing on the reasoning behind an action.

lack of sufficient evidence

Focuses on the evidentiary aspect of the grounds, highlighting the absence of proof.

untenable basis

Emphasizes the weakness and indefensibility of the foundation or reason.

flimsy pretext

Suggests that the reason given is weak and unconvincing, possibly even deceptive.

weak foundation

Highlights the lack of a strong or reliable base for an argument or decision.

without adequate cause

Shifts the focus to the absence of a legitimate reason or motive.

lacking a valid rationale

Emphasizes the absence of a sound and logical explanation.

no compelling reason

Indicates that there is no strong or persuasive justification.

deficient basis

Points to a fundamental flaw or inadequacy in the underlying support.

poorly supported claim

Highlights the weakness of the evidence or arguments supporting a particular assertion.

FAQs

How to use "insufficient grounds" in a sentence?

Use "insufficient grounds" to indicate a lack of adequate justification or evidence for a particular action or belief. For example, "The judge ruled there were insufficient grounds to proceed with the case."

What can I say instead of "insufficient grounds"?

You can use alternatives like "inadequate justification", "lack of sufficient evidence", or "untenable basis" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "insufficient grounds" and "adequate grounds"?

"Insufficient grounds" means there is not enough reason or evidence, while "adequate grounds" means there is enough reason or evidence to support a claim or action. They are antonyms.

Is it appropriate to use "insufficient grounds" in formal writing?

Yes, "insufficient grounds" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in legal, academic, and professional contexts where precise and objective language is required.