little grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small basis or justification for a belief, action, or argument. Example: "She had little grounds to support her claim, making it difficult to convince others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Unlike Bai, I see little grounds for optimism here.

The New York Times - Magazine

Europe's recent record gives little grounds for optimism.

The Guardian - Opinion

THE butcher's life has traditionally offered little grounds for romance.

The New York Times - Food

There were very little grounds for the players to claim they were at no significant fault".

The Guardian - Sport

The Qatari government's response cited in the report gives little grounds for hope: restating current Qatari law, accepting none of the criticismand making no promises of improvement.

The Guardian

The Security Service Act gives the home secretary such wide powers to authorise intrusion that the commissioner and tribunal have little grounds to object.The parliamentary committee is equally toothless.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Little ground for hope".

The New Yorker

Obama gave little ground.

The Guardian

Stupidity will gain a little ground".

The Guardian - Books

But Putin gave up precious little ground.

The New Yorker

The initial Russian reaction gave little ground for optimism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little grounds", ensure it accurately reflects a genuinely weak or insufficient basis. Avoid using it to dismiss valid concerns or arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "little grounds" when there is actually significant evidence or reason to support a claim. This can undermine your credibility and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little grounds" functions as a determiner + noun construction. It indicates a limited or insufficient basis for something, as supported by examples found by Ludwig. The phrase is used to express a lack of strong justification or reason.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little grounds" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a limited or insufficient basis for something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. It functions primarily to express doubt or skepticism, and while its register is generally neutral, it's more frequently encountered in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "minimal basis" and "slight justification". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a genuine lack of support, and avoid using it dismissively when significant evidence exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal basis

Replaces "grounds" with "basis", emphasizing the lack of foundation.

insufficient reason

Directly states the inadequacy of the reason provided.

slight justification

Substitutes "grounds" with "justification", highlighting the limited support for an action or belief.

limited justification

Emphasizes the restricted or confined nature of the justification.

weak foundation

Highlights the unstable or deficient underpinning of an idea or argument.

scant evidence

Focuses on the lack of proof or data supporting a claim.

narrow basis

Highlights the limited scope or range of the basis for something.

meager support

Highlights the deficient amount of backing or assistance available.

flimsy pretext

Implies a weak and unconvincing excuse or justification.

tenuous rationale

Suggests a weak and easily challenged reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "little grounds" to express that there is not much reason to believe something or to take a particular action. For example: "There is "little grounds" for optimism given the current circumstances."

What can I say instead of "little grounds"?

You can use alternatives like "minimal basis", "slight justification", or "scant evidence" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "little grounds" or "few grounds"?

Both "little grounds" and "few grounds" can be grammatically correct, but "little grounds" is more common when referring to an abstract basis or reason. "Few grounds" might be used when referring to specific, countable reasons, though it's less idiomatic.

What's the difference between "little grounds" and "no grounds"?

"Little grounds" suggests that there is some, but not much, justification. "No grounds", on the other hand, indicates a complete lack of any justification or reason.