on their ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on their ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a situation where someone is in a position of strength or control, often in a debate or argument. Example: "When it comes to negotiations, it's important to meet them on their ground to understand their perspective better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The three Reade Street houses and the one on Greenwich Street have entry halls and large eat-in kitchens on their ground floors.

The New York Times

I have slept on their ground.

The New Yorker

We're meeting them on their ground".

The New York Times

For taller players, finding such rhythm in returns, on their ground strokes, takes time.

The New York Times - Sports

He encroached shamelessly on their ground, stoking up fears of immigration and Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We became champions on their ground, and for an Arsenal fan, there is nothing that can top that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Solly congratulated the Warriors on their ground-breaking move, saying: "Many fans complain that rugby league doesn't command the profile of other sports and tell us that they want to see rugby league competing with the likes of rugby union, cricket and football on a national scale with a higher media profile.

The Guardian - Sport

People spend more on their bathrooms than on their grounds.

The New York Times - Magazine

Others still allow it, usually outside on their grounds during scheduled times.

The New York Times - Health

FA-registered clubs were promptly banned from allowing women's football on their grounds.

The Guardian

"They're their laws, their rules, they're on their grounds so you've got to comply".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on their ground" when you want to emphasize that someone has an advantage due to familiarity or control of a specific place or situation. For example, "The debate was challenging because we had to argue our points on their ground."

Common error

Avoid using "on their ground" when the physical location or specific context is not relevant to the advantage being discussed. For instance, don't say "We agreed on their ground" if the location of the agreement had no impact on the negotiation's outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on their ground" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier. It typically modifies a verb, indicating the location or circumstances under which an action takes place, implying an advantage or familiarity for someone. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on their ground" is a grammatically sound and relatively common prepositional phrase, primarily used in News & Media. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness. It signifies an advantage or control due to familiarity or ownership of a specific location or situation. Alternatives such as "in their territory" or "on their home turf" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly relates to a physical or metaphorical setting that provides an edge to the referenced party. Avoid using it in situations where location or context is irrelevant. This phrase appears to be most frequently used by reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on their home turf

Replaces "ground" with "turf", emphasizing the home advantage in a more colloquial way.

on their home court

Similar to "on their home turf", but more specific to sports or competitive situations.

in their territory

Substitutes "ground" with "territory", focusing on the area they control or are familiar with.

on their playing field

Replaces "ground" with "playing field", often used in a metaphorical sense to represent an area of competition.

on their own terms

Shifts the focus from physical location to the conditions or rules they set.

in their domain

Indicates a region or sphere of influence where they have authority or expertise.

in their element

Highlights the environment where they perform best or feel most comfortable.

in familiar surroundings

Highlights the advantage of being in a place they know well.

where they excel

Focuses on the place or situation in which they demonstrate superior skills.

in their comfort zone

Emphasizes the psychological advantage of being in a familiar environment.

FAQs

How can I use "on their ground" in a sentence?

Use "on their ground" to indicate that someone is operating in a territory or area where they have an advantage or feel comfortable. For example: "Negotiating "on their ground" made it difficult to gain concessions."

What is a good alternative to "on their ground"?

Alternatives include "in their territory", "on their home turf", or "in their element depending on the context".

Is "on their ground" the same as "on their own terms"?

No, "on their ground" refers to a physical or contextual advantage, while "on their own terms" refers to the conditions or rules under which something is done. They are similar in the sense of advantage but distinct in what kind of advantage they describe.

When is it appropriate to use "on their ground" versus "in their territory"?

"On their ground" is often used when referring to a specific location or environment where someone has an advantage, while "in their territory" can be broader and refer to an area of influence or control. While similar, "on their ground" is often more literal.