ridiculous grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ridiculous grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a basis or reason for something that is deemed absurd or unreasonable. Example: "The committee rejected the proposal on what they considered to be ridiculous grounds, leaving many members frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"And then you are turned down on the most ridiculous grounds: that it will create a hole on the wall.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The spaceship stands as a sad reminder of poor planning and unfortunate circumstance but the fans are just about keeping the heart beating in this gorgeous yet ridiculous ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Matt Richenthal of TV Fanatic said the way Chris has become so well integrated into the show demonstrates how well the writers keep seemingly ridiculous characters grounded.

Wikipedia

"In addition to the ridiculous 'stand your ground' laws that are largely responsible for the death of Mr. Martin, the recent assaults on affirmative action and voting right laws in the Supreme Court can be seen as reactionary politics".

The New York Times

The Lonely Island team premiered a new SNL digital short last night called "On the Ground," which featured Andy Samberg throwing increasingly ridiculous things...on the ground.

Huffington Post

Tony Rabaiotti, of Unison West Midlands, said the idea that the Department for Education "could do a better job than the people on the ground" was "ridiculous" and the move was "purely ideological".

BBC

Not only was officer Billy Spears ordered to receive counselling by Texas state officials, he then sued his department in April for damages (I suppose suing them "on the grounds of being ridiculous" wouldn't hold up as well in court).

The Guardian - Music

A sort of severed, floating quote machine, spewing out the sublimely ridiculous as he hovers above ground level, held mid-air between the sheer force of his enormous ego and his slowly escaping sanity?

Independent

But it's ridiculous to criticise me on the grounds that I can't be leftwing because I earn a lot.

The Guardian - Arts

A mysterious 80m wide crater discovered in Siberia left the world baffled yesterday, with initial speculative explanations ranging from the sensible (possibly a below-ground explosion?) to the ridiculous (obviously it's a Sarlacc Pit).

Independent

We try really hard, even in the most ridiculous moments, to give it a grounded reality".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ridiculous grounds", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the grounds are considered absurd or unreasonable to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "ridiculous grounds" in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or objective critique is expected. Opt for alternatives like "unsubstantiated claims" or "questionable rationale" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ridiculous grounds" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ridiculous" modifies the noun "grounds". It serves to describe the basis or justification for something as being absurd or unreasonable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ridiculous grounds" is a phrase used to describe reasons or justifications considered absurd or unreasonable. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. It most frequently appears in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates why the grounds are ridiculous and consider the level of formality required for the piece. While "ridiculous grounds" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurd reasons

Focuses on the nonsensical nature of the reasons given.

ludicrous justification

Emphasizes the laughable inadequacy of the justification.

preposterous basis

Highlights the outrageous foundation for a claim or action.

farcical premise

Implies the initial assumption is comical and absurd.

untenable argument

Focuses on the indefensibility of the argument presented.

implausible rationale

Stresses the lack of credibility in the reasoning.

flimsy excuse

Emphasizes the weakness and inadequacy of the excuse.

outlandish claim

Highlights the bizarre and unconventional nature of the claim.

baseless assertion

Stresses the lack of factual support for the statement.

hollow pretense

Implies the existence of a false and meaningless justification.

FAQs

How can I use "ridiculous grounds" in a sentence?

You can use "ridiculous grounds" to describe reasons or justifications that are absurd or unreasonable. For example, "The application was rejected on "ridiculous grounds", such as the applicant's shoe size."

What are some alternatives to "ridiculous grounds"?

Alternatives to "ridiculous grounds" include "absurd reasons", "ludicrous justification", or "preposterous basis". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "ridiculous grounds" and "questionable reasons"?

"Ridiculous grounds" implies a higher degree of absurdity and unreasonableness than "questionable reasons", which suggests doubt or uncertainty but not necessarily outright absurdity.

Is it appropriate to use "ridiculous grounds" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "ridiculous grounds" might be perceived as less formal. In highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "untenable justification" or "implausible rationale".