on spurious grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on spurious grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a claim, argument, or action is based on false, misleading, or unsubstantiated reasons. Example: "The decision to dismiss the case was made on spurious grounds, lacking any credible evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

They are excluding people on spurious grounds," he said.

The Guardian

The Pope granted them an annulment, on spurious grounds.

Independent

Requests are increasingly denied on spurious grounds and excessive costs are used to deter requests.

The Guardian - Opinion

But MPs do want to stop deportations being blocked on "spurious" grounds.

The Guardian

It demanded that potential candidates excluded from selection "on spurious grounds" be reinterviewed and reassessed for suitability for selection.

The Guardian

The government's chief scientific adviser has hit out at climate sceptics who attack global warming science on spurious grounds.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It is really disappointing when we have the knowledge, when we have the expertise, when we have the data to show that we need to act more promptly and more decisively, that they are fudging it and fluffing it on all sorts of spurious grounds.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A pity they didn't have the guts to take on Jimmy Savile and other predatory celebs – tabloid mates, most of them – instead of hounding randy sports folk on the spurious grounds that they are "role models" with commercial sponsorship deals.

The Guardian

The administration still denied California's request on equally spurious grounds.

The New York Times

I was eased out of that job, and back into unemployment in a matter of weeks on fairly spurious grounds.

The Guardian - Opinion

In recent years we have become far too closely annexed to American interests, on the spurious grounds that the "special relationship" persists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on spurious grounds", ensure that you can clearly articulate why the grounds are, in fact, false or misleading. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your assertion. For example, "The company dismissed the employee on spurious grounds of poor performance, despite consistently positive reviews."

Common error

Avoid using "on spurious grounds" when the issue is simply a matter of opinion or interpretation. "Spurious" implies an objective falsehood or deception, not just a disagreement. Therefore, do not say "The critic dismissed the film on spurious grounds of being unrealistic" when the critic simply had a different interpretation. Instead consider "The critic dismissed the film on subjective grounds of being unrealistic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on spurious grounds" primarily functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the reason or basis for an action, claim, or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase signifies that the rationale behind something is false, misleading, or lacks genuine support.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on spurious grounds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates an action or claim is based on false or misleading reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, but also present in Science and Business contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure you can substantiate your assertion that the grounds are indeed false or misleading. Consider alternatives like "on dubious grounds" or "on flimsy pretenses" for subtle variations in meaning. Avoid using it when the issue is a mere matter of opinion. Understanding these nuances will allow you to confidently and effectively incorporate "on spurious grounds" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on dubious grounds

Replaces "spurious" with "dubious", implying uncertainty or doubt about the validity of the grounds.

on flimsy pretenses

Substitutes "grounds" with "pretenses" and "spurious" with "flimsy", emphasizing the weakness and lack of substance in the stated reasons.

on false premises

Replaces the phrase with a more formal term, indicating that the basis of the argument or action is incorrect or untrue.

without valid justification

Expresses the idea by directly stating the absence of a legitimate reason.

based on misleading information

Focuses on the deceptive nature of the information used as the basis for the action or claim.

on trumped-up charges

Specifically suggests that the grounds are fabricated or exaggerated to create a false accusation.

on unsubstantiated claims

Highlights the lack of evidence or support for the reasons given.

on invented excuses

Emphasizes the artificial and contrived nature of the reasons provided.

on artificial reasons

A direct substitution that highlights that the reasons are not genuine or natural.

without legitimate cause

Indicates the absence of a real or lawful reason for the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "on spurious grounds" to indicate that an action, decision, or argument is based on false, misleading, or unsubstantiated reasons. For example, "The charges were dismissed "on spurious grounds" due to lack of evidence."

What can I say instead of "on spurious grounds"?

Alternatives to "on spurious grounds" include "on dubious grounds", "on flimsy pretenses", or "on false premises", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "on spurious grounds" and "on legitimate grounds"?

"On spurious grounds" means that the reasons given are false or misleading, while "on legitimate grounds" means that the reasons are valid and justified. They are antonyms.

Is it better to use "spurious reasons" or "on spurious grounds"?

Both "spurious reasons" and "on spurious grounds" are grammatically correct. "Spurious reasons" is typically used as a noun phrase to describe the reasons themselves, while "on spurious grounds" is used as an adverbial phrase to modify a verb, indicating the basis for an action or decision.