spurious grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spurious grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to reasons or justifications that are false, misleading, or not based on valid evidence. Example: "The defendant's claims were dismissed as they were based on spurious grounds that lacked any factual support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They are excluding people on spurious grounds," he said.

The Guardian

The administration still denied California's request on equally spurious grounds.

The New York Times

The Pope granted them an annulment, on spurious grounds.

Independent

Requests are increasingly denied on spurious grounds and excessive costs are used to deter requests.

The Guardian - Opinion

But MPs do want to stop deportations being blocked on "spurious" grounds.

The Guardian

It demanded that potential candidates excluded from selection "on spurious grounds" be reinterviewed and reassessed for suitability for selection.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Yet still ministers argue against taking in families fleeing war on that spurious ground that it will encourage others to make the journey.

Independent

Collingwood thus dismisses "amusement art," on the spurious ground that to be interested in a work of art for the sake of amusement is to be interested not in the work but only in the amusement that it inspires.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If we do in fact support diversity, women's rights, and gay rights, then we cannot in good conscience give Islam a free pass on that spurious ground.

Huffington Post

They endeared themselves to Vale fans by barring our board from their club on spurious "safety" grounds.

The Guardian - Sport

Superstring theory may or may not turn out to be the correct theory of quantum gravity, but we shouldn't reject it prematurely on spurious philosophical grounds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spurious grounds", ensure that you can clearly demonstrate why the stated grounds are, in fact, false or misleading. Provide evidence or logical reasoning to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "spurious grounds" when the reasons are merely questionable or debatable, rather than demonstrably false. Reserve the phrase for situations where the lack of validity is clear and provable, or you risk weakening your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spurious grounds" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier followed by a noun, denoting reasons or justifications that are false, misleading, or lacking a sound basis. Ludwig shows many examples in which institutions deny requests on "spurious grounds".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spurious grounds" signifies reasons or justifications that are demonstrably false or misleading. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its frequency in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts underscores its importance in critical discourse. When using this phrase, ensure you can substantiate the claim of spuriousness, and avoid employing it when reasons are merely debatable. Alternatives such as "false pretenses" or "baseless claims" can provide nuance depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false pretenses

Focuses on the deceptive aspect, implying an intention to mislead.

baseless claims

Emphasizes the lack of factual support for assertions.

unfounded allegations

Highlights the lack of evidence for accusations.

dubious reasons

Suggests that the reasons are questionable or suspect.

tenuous justifications

Implies that the justifications are weak and easily challenged.

flimsy excuses

Emphasizes the weakness and inadequacy of the explanations.

hollow arguments

Suggests that the arguments lack substance or sincerity.

invalid reasons

Highlights the lack of legal or logical validity in the reasons.

specious arguments

Focuses on the deceptively attractive but ultimately false nature of the arguments.

contrived pretexts

Emphasizes that the reasons were artificially created or invented.

FAQs

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

You can use "spurious grounds" to indicate that a reason or justification is not based on facts or truth, for example: "The company dismissed the employee on "spurious grounds" of poor performance."

What's the difference between "spurious grounds" and "legitimate reasons"?

"Spurious grounds" refers to reasons that are false, misleading, or without merit, while "legitimate reasons" are valid, justifiable, and based on factual evidence. The first intends to deceive and the second to be transparent.

What are some synonyms for "spurious grounds"?

Alternatives for "spurious grounds" include "false pretenses", "baseless claims", or "unfounded allegations", each emphasizing different aspects of the lack of validity.

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

Yes, "spurious grounds" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and directly conveys that a reason or justification is not valid, and its formality makes it suitable for professional contexts.