on humane grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

'on humane grounds' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a situation in which a person is treated with kindness or mercy. For example, "The court granted the defendant a lenient sentence on humane grounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Norway banned the use of the whip in horse racing on humane grounds back in 1982.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It makes no sense on policy grounds, on economic grounds and certainly not on humane grounds," said Mr. Vladeck, who joined Mr. Green, Mr. DiBrienza and Mr. Krooks at the news conference yesterday.

The New York Times

Now Mr. Clos has asked Madrid to grant the family legal residence in Spain on humane grounds and it seems likely that Ms. Guzñay will be allowed to stay.

The New York Times

The European Union has banned the import of seal products on humane grounds, whereas Canada says seal hunting is humane and provides income for isolated communities like Iqaluit".I'm hoping it will be served and that people get a taste of what we eat in the north," Ms. Aglukkaq said.

The New York Times

One of only two boat people to be allowed to land in Australia since the new policy began is an Iraqi woman, Sundous Ismail Ibrahim, 26, who was given special dispensation on humane grounds to be with her husband, who had arrived earlier.

The New York Times

One animal from this group died of the disease, whilst two others had to be euthanized on humane grounds due to paralysis and ataxia.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I can tell you what I went through and my partner went through and how I tried to deal personally with Tim Lynch, and even appeal to him on purely humane grounds to let us return to our apartment which had suffered no damage at all, in a building that did not even have a hairline crack in it after a hurricane.

Huffington Post

This may be difficult to achieve as animals often die or are euthanized on the farm by humane grounds before appropriate sampling is possible as for the cases reported here.

BMC Veterinary Research

Carol Tucker Foreman, director of the Food Policy Institute at the Consumer Federation of America, a consumer advocacy group in Washington, said regulations might not assuage consumers, many of whom object to the genetic engineering of animals on humane or ethical grounds, more than on safety concerns.

The New York Times

Many who can be called more or less on the left feel, and argue, that Zimring's (and, by implication, I suppose, my own) at least semi-acceptance of the tactic is unacceptable on humane and even legal grounds.

The New Yorker

An ardent death penalty foe, Mr. Ssebuwufu says he opposes capital punishment on human rights grounds and will not speculate whether lethal injection or electrocution is more humane than the noose.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on humane grounds", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates that the action taken is motivated by compassion, kindness, or a desire to alleviate suffering. For example, you might say, "The prisoner was released from jail early on humane grounds due to his deteriorating health."

Common error

Avoid using "on humane grounds" when the decision is based solely on legal or financial considerations. This phrase specifically indicates actions motivated by compassion and a concern for human well-being, not other factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on humane grounds" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It provides the reason or justification for an action, indicating that it was done out of compassion or concern for well-being, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples where animals are euthanized or individuals are granted dispensation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

6.67%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3.33%

Wiki

3.33%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on humane grounds" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to justify actions motivated by compassion and concern for well-being. Ludwig's AI confirms that it is usually used to describe a situation in which a person is treated with kindness or mercy. It's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly conveys the compassionate motivation behind the action. Remember that the phrase highlights kindness and morality, distinguishing it from decisions based purely on legal or financial factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on compassionate grounds

Replaces "humane" with its direct synonym "compassionate", maintaining identical meaning.

for compassionate reasons

Emphasizes the feeling of compassion as the primary motivator, similar to "on humane grounds".

for reasons of humanity

Highlights the humanitarian aspect, focusing on kindness and empathy.

out of humaneness

Focuses on the quality of being humane and acting accordingly.

in the interest of compassion

Highlights the intention of acting with compassion.

based on humanitarian principles

Emphasizes the guiding principles of humanitarianism behind a decision.

on the basis of human dignity

Links the action to the concept of human dignity and respect.

for ethical considerations

Shifts the focus to the ethical principles guiding the decision, broadening the scope slightly.

considering the welfare of others

Highlights the importance of considering the well-being of others when making a decision.

with concern for human well-being

Focuses on the concern and care for the welfare of humans.

FAQs

What does "on humane grounds" mean?

The phrase "on humane grounds" means that an action or decision is based on compassion, empathy, and a desire to alleviate suffering or ensure the well-being of individuals or animals. It suggests a motivation rooted in kindness and a sense of moral obligation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "on humane grounds"?

It is appropriate to use "on humane grounds" when describing situations where decisions are driven by concern for the well-being of others, such as granting asylum, releasing someone from prison, or euthanizing an animal. This phrase can often be interchanged with "on compassionate grounds".

What are some alternatives to "on humane grounds"?

Some alternative phrases to "on humane grounds" include "for compassionate reasons", "for reasons of humanity", or "out of humaneness". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "on humane grounds" different from "on humanitarian grounds"?

While both phrases relate to acting with compassion, "on humane grounds" typically refers to individual acts of kindness, whereas "on humanitarian grounds" often describes broader, organized efforts to alleviate suffering. The phrase on "on humanitarian grounds" often refers to providing aid to populations affected by crises.