on certain grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on certain grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific reasons or justifications for a decision or action. Example: "The committee decided to reject the proposal on certain grounds related to its feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Churches were set up on certain grounds.

The Guardian

Right of divorce was also vested basically in the husband, who could unilaterally repudiate his wife, although the woman could also sue her husband for divorce before a court on certain grounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the UK, abortions are allowed on certain grounds, including that continuing with the pregnancy would be a greater risk to the woman's life, physical or mental health than ending the pregnancy, continuing would be more of a risk to the physical or mental health of any of the woman's existing children and if there was a real risk the child would have a serious physical or mental disability.

The Guardian

"In the past, I have been very, very lucky that I have scored a few on certain grounds I have been at before," said the 34-year-old.

BBC

The TRIPS agreement requires that countries make patents and all patent rights available 'without discrimination' on certain grounds.

Globalization and Health

While these guidelines note the importance of protecting the rights and interests of all stakeholders, and concede that access to data might be limited on certain grounds (including national security, trade secrets, conservation, legal process, and privacy and confidentiality), they approach these limitations with a view towards preserving as much sharing potential as possible.

Genome Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Legal analysts say that tough questioning can indicate that a justice wants to be on certain ground when ruling in favour of a position, as well as indicating hostility to it.

The Guardian

Yet we have, for the most part, managed to agree on certain ground rules in the abortion controversy: it's acceptable to express your opinion and to criticize the other side, but it's not acceptable either to engage in violence or to encourage others to do so.

The New York Times

As I looked at other shards on the ground, I thought of how Fawcett had once asserted in a letter that on certain high grounds in the Amazon "very little scratching will produce an abundance" of ancient pottery.

The New Yorker

Not surprisingly, he was on less certain ground over immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, she wrote in an e-mail, "Trump is on less certain ground in attributing the crime increase to 'this administration's rollback of criminal enforcement'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on certain grounds", ensure that the grounds are clearly defined or understood within the context of your writing. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "on certain grounds" without providing further explanation or specification. Leaving the grounds undefined weakens your statement and can confuse the reader. Always clarify the specific reasons or criteria you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on certain grounds" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It introduces the reasons or justifications behind an action or decision. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on certain grounds" serves as a prepositional phrase used to introduce the reasons or justifications behind an action or statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English, with a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "for specific reasons" and "based on particular criteria" exist, "on certain grounds" can be useful when the reasons are sensitive, numerous, or understood by the audience. The key is to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness when employing this phrase. Common contexts include news, science, and encyclopedic content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for specific reasons

Replaces "certain grounds" with a more direct term for reasons, emphasizing clarity and directness.

based on particular criteria

Emphasizes the existence of established criteria influencing the decision.

owing to specific justifications

Formal alternative emphasizing the validity and relevance of the justifications.

by virtue of particular reasons

Highlights the compelling nature of the reasons leading to a specific outcome.

in light of specific circumstances

Focuses on contextual factors influencing the decision.

due to established principles

Highlights that the decision relies on previously established principles or rules.

considering precise rationales

Emphasizes a thought-out, careful approach to the rationale behind the decision.

given specific conditions

Emphasizes the specific set of conditions or parameters that informed the decision.

depending on concrete factors

Highlights tangible or factual elements considered in the process.

according to defined parameters

Emphasizes that pre-defined parameters influenced the decision-making process.

FAQs

How can I use "on certain grounds" in a sentence?

Use "on certain grounds" to indicate that a decision or action is based on specific, though perhaps not explicitly stated, reasons. For instance, "The application was rejected "on certain grounds" related to incomplete documentation".

What are some alternatives to "on certain grounds"?

Alternatives include "for specific reasons", "based on particular criteria", or "due to specific justifications". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "on certain grounds"?

In most cases, being specific is preferable for clarity. However, "on certain grounds" can be useful when the specific reasons are sensitive, numerous, or already understood by the audience. Ensure the context makes your meaning clear.

What is the difference between "on certain grounds" and "on specific grounds"?

"On specific grounds" emphasizes that the reasons are clearly defined and articulated. "On certain grounds" suggests that the reasons exist, but may not be fully disclosed or universally known. Using "on specific grounds" is useful to stress clarity.