sufficient ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficient ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the basis or justification for a decision, action, or belief. Example: "The evidence presented in court provided sufficient ground for the jury to reach a verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The current military campaign against it lacks sufficient ground forces to be decisive.

The Guardian - Opinion

In most jurisdictions, adultery was not sufficient ground, nor was aggravated assault.

The New Yorker

After a poor start, Felix, 17, remained composed, making up sufficient ground to finish third in 22.59.

The New York Times - Sports

Those circumstances alone are not "sufficient ground" for a college to grant you independent status, Mr. Kantrowitz said.

The New York Times

Yet President Barack Obama has suggested that saving lives alone is not a sufficient ground for military action.

The Economist

Mr. McGlasson appealed the case to the federal courts after state courts in Texas found that a sleeping lawyer was not a sufficient ground for a new trial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The complications in handling the swelling number of aging prisoners range from making allowances for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and finding sufficient ground-floor cells for inmates in wheelchairs to ensuring that older prisoners are not exploited or robbed by younger inmates.

The New York Times

Following a protest from Hayes, the helping hands were reasonably deemed sufficient grounds for disqualification.

The New Yorker

The videos have given police sufficient grounds to open an investigation into the Skid Row dumping.

The Guardian

He does not regard an inability to staff a parliamentary team as sufficient grounds to quit.

The Guardian - Opinion

had not held a hearing to establish sufficient grounds for a ban on Panogen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sufficient ground", ensure the context clearly establishes what the ground refers to, such as evidence, justification, or reason. For example, "The investigation provided sufficient ground for suspicion."

Common error

Avoid using "ground" as a plural noun in this context. While "grounds" can refer to the physical area surrounding a building or a reason for something, "sufficient ground" is typically used in a singular form to indicate enough basis for something. For example, say "sufficient ground for dismissal" not "sufficient grounds for dismissal" if you want to emphasize there's just enough reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient ground" functions as a noun phrase, where "sufficient" modifies the noun "ground". It indicates that there is an adequate or satisfactory basis, reason, or justification for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sufficient ground" serves as a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote an adequate justification or basis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, which gives it a somewhat neutral to formal tone. When aiming for clarity, ensure the context explicitly specifies what the ground refers to. Alternatives such as "adequate basis" or "valid reason" can be used depending on the desired nuance. A common mistake to avoid is using the plural form "grounds" when the singular "ground" is more appropriate. Understanding these aspects ensures effective and accurate use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate basis

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the foundational aspect.

valid reason

This alternative focuses on the justification being logical and sound.

justifiable cause

This alternative implies a reason that can be defended or explained.

reasonable justification

This alternative highlights the rationale behind an action or decision.

ample justification

This alternative suggests that there's a lot of support for taking action.

enough reason

This alternative is a more informal way to suggest that something is justified.

adequate cause

This alternative focuses on something that produces an effect or result.

legitimate basis

This alternative means something is in accordance with the law or principles.

good grounds

This is an expression that is semantically similar but differs by being plural.

sufficient foundation

This alternative has a structural semantic difference as the word "foundation" has a more tangible implication.

FAQs

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

You can use "sufficient ground" to indicate that there is enough justification or reason for something. For example, "The evidence presented provided "sufficient ground" for the investigation to proceed."

What's a more formal alternative to "sufficient ground"?

A more formal alternative to "sufficient ground" is "adequate basis". This phrase conveys a similar meaning but sounds more appropriate in formal writing or speech.

What's the difference between "sufficient ground" and "sufficient reason"?

"Sufficient ground" refers to the factual basis or justification for something, while "sufficient reason" focuses more on the logical explanation or motive behind an action or decision. The two phrases are similar, but "sufficient ground" emphasizes the tangible basis.

Is it correct to say "sufficient grounds" instead of "sufficient ground"?

While "grounds" can be used as a plural noun to mean reasons, "sufficient ground" in the singular form is also correct, especially when referring to a single, overarching justification. The choice often depends on the specific context and whether you want to emphasize multiple supporting reasons or a singular underlying basis.