on what ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"on what ground" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to ask someone what their reasoning, justification, or rationale is for something. For example: "On what ground do you think you deserve a raise?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If Cranium's stated strategy was "to be the number one provider of tabletop entertainment," on what ground could a Chinese manufacturer state an objection?

Forbes

If the existence is worth having and no one else's interests are at stake, it is unclear on what ground morality would insist that the choice to bring the one person into the flawed existence is morally wrong.

SEP

But on what ground does Brendel choose this resolution?

The New York Times - Arts

This may depend on what ground is dryer or what pasture grasses have more growth.

Cornell University

On what ground does such hearsay make it "strongly appear" that the victims' grand jury testimony was perjured?

The New York Times

On what ground can the Administration punish Assad for defying an international weapons ban and killing civilians?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This becomes evident, as soon as one asks, on what grounds one should qualify this or that pattern of reasoning as correct or incorrect.

SEP

The principle of responsibility provides a central normative vantage point for deciding on what grounds one might justify which inequality.

SEP

On what grounds does one decide that objects deserve to be considered in moral deliberation?

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Exactly where and on what grounds does one draw the line between what is and what is not my business?

The New York Times - Arts

Two days later, one of these men – who knows on what grounds, exactly – was "let go" from his job.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on what ground" when you want to formally and directly challenge the validity or justification of a statement, decision, or action. It implies you are seeking a clear and defensible rationale.

Common error

Avoid using the singular "ground" when the situation calls for the plural "grounds". "Grounds" often refers to the reasons or factors that support a belief or action. For example, use "on what grounds" when asking for multiple reasons or justifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what ground" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase, used to question the justification or basis for a claim, action, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it seeks to understand the reasoning behind something. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in formal and critical inquiries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on what ground" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to inquire about the justification or basis for a statement or action. As Ludwig AI states, it prompts a speaker to provide the reasoning behind their position. Usage is most common in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Similar phrases include "on what basis" and "what is the justification". When using this phrase, ensure you're seeking a clear and defensible rationale and consider whether the singular or plural form ("grounds") is more appropriate. While "on what ground" is not the most frequently used phrase, its formal tone and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on what basis

Replaces "ground" with "basis", emphasizing the foundation or support for a claim.

what is the justification

More direct and formal, asking explicitly for the reason behind something.

what's the rationale

Focuses on the reasoning or logic behind a decision or action.

what's the reasoning behind

Similar to "rationale", but more conversational.

by what authority

Questions the power or right to do something, implying a challenge to legitimacy.

what are the reasons

A more general inquiry into the causes or explanations for something.

on what authority

Questions the legitimacy or power supporting an action or decision.

how can you justify that

Directly challenges the person to provide reasons for their action or belief.

where does that come from

More informal, questioning the source or origin of an idea or statement.

what leads you to believe

Focuses on the evidence or information that supports a particular belief.

FAQs

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

Use "on what ground" when questioning the justification or reasoning behind a statement or action. For example, "On what ground do you believe this to be true?"

What's the difference between "on what ground" and "on what grounds"?

"On what ground" (singular) is used when you expect a single, primary justification. "On what grounds" (plural) is used when multiple reasons or factors are involved. Both phrases inquire about the basis for a statement or action but differ in whether they expect a single or multiple explanations.

What can I say instead of "on what ground"?

You can use alternatives like "on what basis", "what is the justification", or "what's the rationale" depending on the context.

Is "on what ground" formal or informal?

"On what ground" is considered a relatively formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or journalistic contexts. Less formal alternatives might include "why" or "how come".