legitimate ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an accepted cause or reason for a particular action or belief. For example, "The government's decision to legalize same-sex marriage had legitimate ground in the people's right to freedom and equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I don't think there is any legitimate ground for parliament not to be consulted.

The Guardian

"I do not accept this as a legitimate ground for restricting the right (to protest)," he added.

The Guardian

Likewise, promoting democracy as an abstract, universalist principle only undermines the sovereignty of the American people by rejecting national interests as a legitimate ground of foreign policy.

The New Yorker

The Schneider brothers, who attend South Windsor High School in South Windsor, Conn., a suburb of Hartford, set out to determine whether their mother had legitimate ground for warning them about West Nile virus.

The New York Times

Consent as a legitimate ground to process sensitive data is not new in the Regulation.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

In the context of military conscription, some legal systems regard conscientious objection as a legitimate ground for avoiding frontline military service.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But Rory's got legitimate grounds to grizzle.

The Guardian - Sport

The Holocaust framework allowed one to put aside as irrelevant any legitimate grounds for criticizing Israel".

The New York Times

Innocent people who present no legitimate grounds for suspicion should not be stopped at all.

The New York Times

But she said she saw the access clause as a legitimate grounds for a fight.

The New York Times

But such debates are unlikely to stay on these legitimate grounds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate ground", ensure that the reason you are describing is not only valid but also recognized and accepted as such by others.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate ground" to disguise personal biases or unfounded beliefs as valid reasons. Always ensure that the reason is supported by evidence or widely accepted principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate ground" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a reason or justification that is considered valid and acceptable. The examples provided by Ludwig indicate its use in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “legitimate ground” is a useful way to describe a valid and acceptable reason or justification. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and finds its frequent usage in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Remember to use it when the reason is not only valid but also considered justifiable by others. Common alternatives include "valid reason", "justifiable cause", and "sound basis". Be mindful of avoiding personal biases when employing the phrase to maintain objectivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid reason

Focuses on the reason being sound and well-founded.

justifiable cause

Emphasizes the moral or legal rightness of the cause.

valid justification

Highlights the act of providing reasons to defend an action.

acceptable rationale

Suggests the reason is satisfactory or adequate under the circumstances.

sound basis

Implies a firm and reliable foundation for a belief or action.

reasonable explanation

Focuses on the clarity and logic of the provided explanation.

defensible argument

Emphasizes the ability to defend the reasoning with evidence and logic.

proper basis

Stresses the correctness and suitability of the foundation.

well-founded reason

Highlights that the reason has strong support or evidence.

good cause

Indicates that the reason is morally or ethically acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimate ground" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate ground" to describe a reason or justification that is valid and acceptable, such as, "The company had "legitimate ground" to terminate the contract due to repeated breaches of the terms".

What's a good substitute for "legitimate ground"?

Alternatives include "valid reason", "justifiable cause", or "sound basis", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "legitimate grounds" or "legitimate ground"?

"Legitimate grounds" is the plural form and is generally more common. "Legitimate ground" is acceptable but less frequently used. Both are grammatically correct, but usage depends on whether you refer to one single reason or multiple reasons.

What is the difference between "legitimate ground" and "good reason"?

While both phrases imply a valid justification, "legitimate ground" suggests a more formal or legally acceptable basis, whereas "good reason" is more general and can encompass personal or subjective justifications.