legitimate grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing valid reasons or justifications for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee found that there were legitimate grounds for the appeal, and they decided to reconsider the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

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

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The Guardian

But debates have raged over whether his perceived "incivility" was legitimate grounds for him losing his job.

The New Yorker

Employers should also have legitimate grounds for the monitoring and avoid unjustified intrusions into the employee's private life.

Independent

"Without legitimate grounds and practical capability, Vietnam fabricates and hypes up its jurisdiction over the Xisha and Nansha islands.

The Guardian

There are also legitimate grounds for the request centered on oversight of potential conflicts of interest the president may possess.

The Washington Post

The stand-up thing would have been to fire Mr. Hurd on the altogether legitimate grounds that the directors didn't have faith in his leadership.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimate grounds" when you want to emphasize that a reason or justification is not only valid but also aligns with established rules, laws, or norms.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate grounds" for reasons that are merely convenient or personally preferable but lack objective or widely accepted validation. Ensure that the grounds are genuinely defensible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate grounds" functions as a noun phrase that is often preceded by a verb such as "have", "provide", or "seek". It indicates a reason or basis that is considered valid, justifiable, or acceptable according to laws, rules, or ethical standards. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate grounds" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to justify or explain actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across different contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. To ensure accuracy, always check that your "legitimate grounds" are based on factual and ethical principles, and steer clear of using the phrase for mere convenience. When in doubt, alternatives like "valid justification" or "reasonable cause" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid justification

Focuses on the validity of the reason, emphasizing its acceptance under specific criteria.

justifiable reasons

Highlights the aspect of being able to defend or show the reason to be just or right.

valid basis

Emphasizes the foundation or support for a claim or action being sound and acceptable.

reasonable cause

Indicates a cause that is fair, appropriate, and sensible in a given situation.

acceptable rationale

Focuses on the explanation being satisfactory and conforming to accepted standards.

defensible arguments

Highlights that the arguments can be maintained against attack or dispute.

sound reasoning

Emphasizes the quality of the thought process leading to a particular conclusion.

proper justification

Highlights the justification being correct or appropriate in a specific context.

warranted basis

Implies that the basis is officially or formally allowed or guaranteed.

justifiable motive

Shifts the focus to the intent behind an action being able to be shown to be right or reasonable.

FAQs

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

You can use "legitimate grounds" to introduce or explain why a decision or action is justifiable. For example, "The company had "legitimate grounds" for terminating the contract due to repeated breaches by the supplier."

What are some alternatives to "legitimate grounds"?

Some alternatives to "legitimate grounds" include "valid justification", "justifiable reasons", or "reasonable cause". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "legitimate grounds" or "valid grounds"?

"Legitimate grounds" and "valid grounds" are often interchangeable, but "legitimate" suggests adherence to rules or laws, while "valid" implies a sound or well-founded basis. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

Can "legitimate grounds" be subjective?

While the term aims for objectivity, what constitutes "legitimate grounds" can sometimes be influenced by context, cultural norms, or ethical considerations. However, it should always be based on a defensible rationale rather than mere personal preference.