legitimate grounds for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate grounds for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing valid reasons or justifications for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee found legitimate grounds for dismissing the employee based on repeated violations of company policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

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 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

Where there is credible evidence that disclosing their identity could put their life in danger there must be legitimate grounds for not disclosing their identity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 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

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

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

SEP

My rejection is not based on envy, but on the disrespect this principle shows by regarding race as a legitimate ground for distribution.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate grounds for", ensure that the grounds you cite are clearly defined and can be supported with evidence. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid presenting subjective opinions as "legitimate grounds for". The phrase implies an objective basis, so ensure your reasons are fact-based and widely accepted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate grounds for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reasons or justifications for a particular action, decision, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate grounds for" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to introduce valid reasons or justifications. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its high frequency in news, media, and academic contexts underscores its utility in both formal and neutral settings. While synonyms like "valid reason for" or "justifiable cause for" exist, "legitimate grounds for" is particularly effective when conveying an objective and well-supported rationale. Remember to use it when you have solid evidence to back up your claims, and avoid using it to express personal opinions. Its widespread use across various authoritative sources ensures it’s a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid justification for

Replaces "grounds" with "justification", emphasizing the act of proving something to be right or reasonable.

justifiable reason for

Substitutes "legitimate" with "justifiable" and "grounds" with "reason", focusing on the defensibility of the reason.

valid basis for

Replaces "grounds" with "basis", highlighting the foundation or support for an action or belief.

sufficient cause for

Emphasizes that there is enough reason to prompt a specific action or decision.

adequate reason for

Focuses on whether the reason is satisfactory or acceptable under the circumstances.

proper justification for

Highlights the appropriateness of the explanation or excuse.

reasonable excuse for

Indicates that the reason provided is rational and understandable, though may not be ideal.

defensible rationale for

Stresses that the underlying reasons can be upheld against scrutiny or challenge.

good reason for

A more general and less formal alternative, simply suggesting a valid reason exists.

acceptable grounds for

Highlights that the reasons meet the necessary requirements or standards to be approved.

FAQs

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

Use "legitimate grounds for" to introduce reasons that justify a decision, action, or belief. For example: "The audit revealed "legitimate grounds for" an investigation."

What are some alternatives to "legitimate grounds for"?

Alternatives include "valid reasons for", "justifiable basis for", or "sufficient cause for". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality required.

Is it more appropriate to use "legitimate grounds for" or "valid reasons for"?

"Legitimate grounds for" and "valid reasons for" are often interchangeable, but "legitimate grounds for" suggests a more formal or official context where the justification has been formally assessed or recognized.

Can "legitimate grounds for" be used in informal conversation?

While technically correct, "legitimate grounds for" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "good reason for" or "valid excuse for" are usually more appropriate for informal settings.