on intellectual grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on intellectual grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasoning or justification for a belief, argument, or decision based on intellectual or rational considerations. Example: "The committee rejected the proposal on intellectual grounds, believing it lacked sufficient theoretical support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Their predecessors of twenty years ago might condemn society on intellectual grounds, but they accepted its traditional institutions emotionally.

The Guardian

Rebelling against his family's middle-class values early in the 1950s, Fuentes became a communist, but he left the party in 1962 on intellectual grounds while remaining an avowed Marxist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nor does emotion prove duress - as when FH Bradley writes to William James (in 1897) that "when I kicked the personal God off my premises, it wasn't wholly on intellectual grounds".

The Guardian - Books

Not on intellectual grounds – Adam Smith (the father of free market economics) supported higher taxes on property in order to reduce taxes on more industrious endeavours – but because their instincts prevent them from asking anything more from the very wealthy, even as people on lower incomes feel the pinch.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Our passional nature not only lawfully may, but must, decide an option between propositions, whenever it is a genuine option that cannot by its nature be decided on intellectual grounds" (1896, 11).

SEP

These conditions are met whenever we are confronted by what James terms a "genuine option"—i.e., a choice between two (or more) "hypotheses" (or candidates for belief) which is "live," "forced," and "momentous"—and that option cannot be decided on intellectual grounds.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Even ardent royalists nowadays can't justify the monarchy on any intellectual grounds, and republicanism is gaining ground, as this paper's stance demonstrates.

The Guardian

"The answer should not be debating the terrorists on the intellectual ground, but on the moral ground: that kind of violence is simply unacceptable," says Chris Toumey, a researcher in cultural anthropology of nanotechnology at the University of South Carolina.

The Guardian

Professor Barber is currently at work on a book that examines the intellectual grounds of late-16th-century Cretan painting, particularly the work of Michael Damaskinos, George Klontzas, and Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco).

Princeton University

Our much-vaunted understanding of how DNA rules our bodies, minds and lives, gleaned in the latter half of the 20th century, was shown to rest on rather shaky intellectual ground.

The Guardian - Books

As 2018 dawns, come along to this evening class with historian of ideas Dr Hannah Dawson and get an intellectual grounding on the urgent topic of feminism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on intellectual grounds", ensure the context clearly indicates that the reasoning is based on logic, reason, and evidence, rather than emotion or personal preference.

Common error

Avoid using "on intellectual grounds" when the justification is primarily based on feelings or intuition. Using it in such contexts weakens your argument and undermines credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on intellectual grounds" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the basis or reason for an action, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it typically introduces the rational or logical justification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on intellectual grounds" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to indicate that a decision, belief, or argument is based on rational and logical reasoning. Ludwig AI analysis, supported by examples from authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, identifies its primary function as an adverbial phrase providing justification. The phrase carries a formal tone, making it appropriate for academic, scientific, and professional contexts. While alternatives like "for intellectual reasons" exist, understanding the specific nuance of "on intellectual grounds" ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for intellectual reasons

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a more direct "for" construction, emphasizing the cause.

based on rational arguments

Substitutes "intellectual" with "rational", highlighting the logical foundation.

from a cognitive standpoint

Offers a more academic or psychological perspective on the reasoning.

due to reasoned analysis

Emphasizes the analytical process leading to the justification.

grounded in logical thought

Highlights the basis of the justification being rooted in logical thinking.

premised on sound reasoning

Focuses on the justification being founded on valid and coherent thought processes.

as a matter of principle

Introduces a sense of upholding a tenet of faith in intellectualism.

by dint of intellect

Emphasizes the use of intellect as the driving force.

on the basis of understanding

Shifts the focus to comprehension as the foundation for the decision or belief.

through cognitive evaluation

Highlights the evaluative process involving cognitive functions.

FAQs

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

You can use "on intellectual grounds" to indicate that a decision or belief is based on reason and logic. For instance, "The committee rejected the proposal "on intellectual grounds", citing a lack of empirical evidence."

What are some alternatives to "on intellectual grounds"?

Alternatives include "for intellectual reasons", "based on rational arguments", or "due to reasoned analysis". Each of these phrases offers a slightly different nuance while conveying a similar meaning.

Is "on intellectual grounds" formal or informal?

"On intellectual grounds" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts. More informal settings might benefit from simpler alternatives.

What's the difference between "on intellectual grounds" and "on moral grounds"?

"On intellectual grounds" refers to reasoning based on logic and evidence, whereas "on moral grounds" refers to reasoning based on ethical or moral principles. The choice depends on whether the justification is based on reason or ethics.