reasonable grounds for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable grounds for" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically means having justification or evidence to support a belief or action. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as legal documentation, business contracts, or everyday communication. Example: The employee was terminated for stealing from the company, as the employer had reasonable grounds for suspicion based on security footage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those are reasonable grounds for reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

They certainly had some reasonable grounds for complaint.

The Guardian - Sport

The press has other reasonable grounds for concern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those who remember Federer's yearlong dominance in 2006 have reasonable grounds for argument.

The New York Times - Sports

They were all then all then apprehended without officers providing reasonable grounds for suspicion.

The Guardian

In Napoli, putting mozzarella in the fridge is reasonable grounds for divorce.

The Guardian - Travel

Were there really "reasonable grounds" for suspecting that the person could have committed an offence?

The Guardian

It also said that customs officers must have "reasonable grounds" for searches: suspicion and instinct are not enough.

The Economist

"There are reasonable grounds for believing that there will be the same outcome in the case of Morrison".

The New York Times

As in Omnicare itself, this is reasonable grounds for believing that a danger to corporate policy and effectiveness existed.

Harvard University

She said a key question was "in this case did the attorney general show reasonable grounds for forming his opinion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable grounds for", ensure you can articulate the specific facts or evidence that support the grounds. Vagueness weakens the argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting a hunch or unsubstantiated suspicion as "reasonable grounds for". The phrase implies a demonstrable basis in fact, not mere speculation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable grounds for" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating the basis or justification for an action, belief, or decision. Ludwig examples show its use across legal, ethical, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasonable grounds for" is a common and correct phrase used to indicate a valid justification or basis for something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that you can clearly articulate the specific facts or evidence supporting the stated grounds. Related phrases include "justifiable reasons for" and "valid basis for". Be careful not to overstate a hunch as "reasonable grounds".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable reasons for

Emphasizes the legitimacy and defensibility of the reasons.

valid basis for

Focuses on the soundness and factual foundation supporting a decision or action.

legitimate justification for

Highlights the lawfulness and acceptability of the reasons.

good cause for

Indicates a sufficient and morally acceptable reason.

sufficient warrant for

Suggests a formal authorization or justification.

adequate foundation for

Stresses the strength and stability of the underlying support.

plausible rationale for

Emphasizes the believability and logical consistency of the reasoning.

sound pretext for

Implies a potentially less transparent but still defensible reason.

defensible justification for

Focuses on the ability to argue for and protect the validity of the reasons.

tenable explanation for

Highlights the ability of the explanation to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonable grounds for" in a legal context?

In legal contexts, "reasonable grounds for" is used to justify actions like searches, arrests, or lawsuits. For example, "The police had "reasonable grounds for suspicion"" means they had enough evidence to suspect someone of a crime.

What's the difference between "reasonable grounds for suspicion" and just "suspicion"?

"Suspicion" alone implies a feeling or hunch, while ""reasonable grounds for suspicion"" means there are objective facts that would lead a reasonable person to suspect wrongdoing.

Are "reasonable grounds for" the same as "proof"?

No, "reasonable grounds for" does not require proof. It requires enough evidence to justify an action, but not necessarily enough to convict someone in court. Proof requires a much higher standard of certainty.

What are some alternatives to "reasonable grounds for" in less formal writing?

In less formal writing, you can use phrases like "good reason to", "valid justification for", or "legitimate reason for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.