on reasonable grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on reasonable grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a belief or action is based on justifiable reasons or evidence. Example: "The police officer acted on reasonable grounds when deciding to search the vehicle for illegal substances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Our exam results culture is defined by the vague discussion every year of "raising standards" – a phrase which appears impossible to oppose on reasonable grounds, until one realises that, depending on who is saying it, we could roughly translate it into either "making exam percentages improve" or "making exams tougher, and still expecting the percentages to improve".

Independent

But under the current bill, an "enforcement body" could be exempt from notifying people affected by data breaches or publishing any details of the breach generally if the body "believes on reasonable grounds that compliance... would be likely to prejudice one or more enforcement-related activities conducted by, or on behalf of, the enforcement body".

The Guardian

If alternative types of detention had been at least considered by the minister and then rejected on reasonable grounds, it might have met the test of proportionality.

The Guardian

She said: "I have been clear that stop and search is an important police power, but, as with all sensitive powers, it must be properly targeted, based on reasonable grounds and accountable to citizens and communities.

The Guardian

It aims to properly regulate stop and search under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which does not have to be based on reasonable grounds for suspicion and which mushroomed in recent years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The review will stress that individuals need to be free to take creative risks without fear as long as the decisions were based on reasonable grounds and gone through the right processes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

To be fair, in some cases she's on reasonable ground.

The Economist

Neuberger, for the majority, got round the attorney's veto by saying that the common law imposes limits on the definition of "reasonable grounds" so as not to undermine the principle that the decisions of the courts are binding.

The Guardian

So she takes it to the bank, only to have her request denied on fairly reasonable grounds: "I'm sorry, Mrs Thornton, but it's against bank policy to extend a loan for an exorcism".

The Guardian

If Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development (AK Partyy has championed women's right to wear an Islamic headscarf, it's been on the reasonable grounds that what people choose to put on their heads is their business alone.

The New York Times

When, in 2009, he applied for parole on compassionate grounds, the then home secretary Jack Straw refused his application on the reasonable grounds that he had shown not a shred of remorse for his crime.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or formal writing, "on reasonable grounds" can be a trigger for further scrutiny. Be prepared to defend the reasonableness of the grounds with facts and logical reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "on reasonable grounds" without outlining what those grounds are. The phrase alone isn't persuasive; you must explicitly state the reasons that make the grounds reasonable to an objective observer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on reasonable grounds" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the basis or justification for an action or belief. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase indicates that something is supported by justifiable reasons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on reasonable grounds" is a formal and versatile way to express that an action or belief is supported by justifiable reasons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and best suited for formal contexts like legal documents, news reports, and academic writing. While "common", ensure that you provide the specific reasons for clarity and to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, consider using phrases like "with good reason" or "based on sound evidence" to convey similar meanings in different contexts. Understanding its register and usage patterns will help you employ it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with good reason

Focuses on the justification for an action or decision.

with justifiable cause

Emphasizes the legitimacy and fairness of the grounds.

based on sound evidence

Highlights the evidentiary basis for a belief or action.

on legitimate basis

Highlights the legality and acceptability of the grounds.

supported by credible information

Stresses the reliability of the data used.

given the circumstances

Shifts the focus to the context influencing a decision.

on a well-founded premise

Emphasizes the solid foundation of an argument or decision.

considering the facts

Highlights the factual basis of a judgment.

on valid considerations

Focuses on the relevance and appropriateness of the considerations.

with due justification

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the justification.

FAQs

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

You can use "on reasonable grounds" to indicate that a decision or action is based on justifiable reasons or evidence. For example, "The police acted on reasonable grounds when they searched the suspect's vehicle."

What are some alternatives to saying "on reasonable grounds"?

You can use alternatives like "with good reason", "based on sound evidence", or "with justifiable cause" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "on reasonable grounds" or "on legitimate grounds"?

Both "on reasonable grounds" and "on legitimate grounds" are appropriate, but "on reasonable grounds" often implies a broader assessment of circumstances, while "on legitimate grounds" suggests adherence to legal or procedural correctness.

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

The phrase "on reasonable grounds" is most appropriate in formal or legal contexts where it's necessary to justify a decision or action with clear, logical reasoning and factual support.