on the grounds of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the grounds of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a reason or justification for something. For example: "She refused his advances on the grounds of not wanting to complicate their friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The case is being considered on the grounds of misconduct.

Independent

Typically these are casual restaurants on the grounds of wineries.

The New York Times

Paternalism is sometimes justified on the grounds of preventing harm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

("Undocumented" is also rejected, on the grounds of imprecision).

The Economist

"But basically, reservation was given on the grounds of religion.

The New York Times

Still others objected on the grounds of privacy or reliability.

The Economist

Migrants refused entry on the grounds of religion.

Independent

On the grounds of cost, a truce was eventually arranged.

Harvard Business Review

No exclusions on the grounds of plea-bargaining.

The Guardian

"I filed for divorce on the grounds of mental exhaustion".

The New Yorker

I was refused on the grounds of confidentiality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the grounds of" when you want to provide a formal or legal justification for a decision or action. It adds a layer of seriousness and deliberation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "on the grounds of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the grounds of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason, justification, or basis for a statement, action, or decision. It specifies the basis or rationale behind something. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the grounds of" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce the reason or justification for something, commonly found in formal writing and speech. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. While simpler alternatives like "because of" exist, "on the grounds of" adds a formal tone, emphasizing a deliberate rationale. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatility and appropriateness in various situations, from legal justifications to logical arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by reason of

This alternative is a more formal and concise way of expressing the reason for something.

because of

This alternative is a more common and straightforward way to indicate causality.

due to

Similar to "because of", this phrase specifies that something is caused by something else.

by virtue of

This phrase suggests that something is a result of a particular quality or power.

on account of

Similar to "because of", this phrase highlights a specific reason.

in light of

This suggests a decision made after considering certain information.

stemming from

This option indicates that something originates or arises from a particular cause.

for the reason that

A more verbose way of saying "because", emphasizing the reason.

based on the premise of

This alternative focuses on the underlying assumption or basis for a decision.

in consideration of

Suggests a more thoughtful and deliberate evaluation of reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "on the grounds of" in a sentence?

Use "on the grounds of" to introduce the reason or justification for a decision, action, or belief. For example, "The case was dismissed "on the grounds of" insufficient evidence".

What are some alternatives to "on the grounds of"?

You can use alternatives like "because of", "due to", or "by reason of" depending on the context. For a more formal tone, "by virtue of" or "in light of" might be suitable.

When is it appropriate to use "on the grounds of"?

It is appropriate to use "on the grounds of" in formal writing, legal contexts, or when providing a serious or official justification. It is less suitable for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "on the grounds of" and "because of"?

"On the grounds of" typically implies a more formal or legal justification, while "because of" is a more general and widely applicable causal connector. "The appeal was rejected "on the grounds of" a technicality" is more precise than "The appeal was rejected "because of" a technicality".