solid ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solid ground" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation which is stable, secure, and reliable. For example: "After a tumultuous year of upheaval, it was nice to find solid ground again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or solid ground.

The New York Times - Books

"Safety, solid ground".

The Guardian - Books

LISA: (On solid ground).

The New York Times

So far, solid ground.

The New York Times - Books

Selig says he is on solid ground.

The New York Times - Sports

Google said it was on solid ground.

The New York Times - Tech

Dan was on more solid ground.

The New York Times - Health

"We're on very, very solid ground.

The New York Times

My feet anxiously feel for solid ground.

The Guardian - Books

It bounced far away to solid ground.

The New York Times - Sports

I wanted solid ground for the future.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solid ground" to convey stability in uncertain situations. For example, when a company's financial performance is unstable, achieving "solid ground" means reaching a point of consistent profitability and security.

Common error

Avoid using "solid ground" solely in contexts where you literally mean firm earth. While correct, the phrase is most effective when used metaphorically to describe stable conditions, reliable arguments, or secure positions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solid ground" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As evidenced by Ludwig, it typically refers to a state of stability, security, or reliability, whether literal or metaphorical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solid ground" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that conveys a sense of stability, security, and reliability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Its use is particularly prevalent in news and media, but it also appears in formal business and scientific writing. When aiming to express that a situation or argument is well-supported and unlikely to fail, "solid ground" is an excellent choice. Alternative phrases such as "stable foundation", "firm footing", and "secure base" can be used to provide nuanced meanings or to avoid repetition. Remember to use this phrase to describe scenarios that denote stability and security rather than its literal meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rock-solid support

Emphasizes the reliability of the support with the idiom 'rock-solid'.

stable foundation

Replaces 'ground' with 'foundation', emphasizing the underlying support structure.

firm footing

Substitutes 'solid' with 'firm' and 'ground' with 'footing', highlighting secure placement.

secure base

Uses 'secure' instead of 'solid' and 'base' instead of 'ground', focusing on safety and security.

dependable basis

Replaces 'solid' with 'dependable', highlighting the trustworthiness of the foundation.

sound basis

Replaces physical stability with a more abstract 'basis', implying a reliable foundation for arguments or decisions.

reliable platform

Changes 'ground' to 'platform', suggesting a base for launching or supporting something.

steady state

Implies a condition of equilibrium and stability, moving away from the literal meaning of 'ground'.

certainty

Focuses on the aspect of assuredness and lack of doubt, rather than physical or metaphorical support.

established order

Refers to a system or arrangement that is well-established and reliable.

FAQs

How can I use "solid ground" in a sentence?

You can use "solid ground" to describe a situation that is stable and secure. For instance, "After months of uncertainty, the company is finally on "solid ground" financially."

What are some alternatives to "solid ground"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stable foundation", "firm footing", or "secure base".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "solid ground"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize stability, security, or reliability in a given situation, whether it's a personal, professional, or abstract context.

Is "solid ground" only used in a literal sense?

No, "solid ground" is often used metaphorically to describe situations, arguments, or positions that are stable and reliable, not just physical terrain.