the grounds on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the grounds on which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the basis or reasons for a particular decision, belief, or action. Example: "The committee provided the grounds on which they made their decision to deny the application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the grounds on which one EU country can expel citizens of another are severely limited by a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement.

The Economist

According to the special-counsel statute, "conflict of interest" is one of the grounds on which an attorney general, or acting attorney general, may remove a special counsel.

The New Yorker

For the third week running, the grounds on which this did best were the creepy ones.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"War seemed a foregone conclusion" because there was no "incentive to budge, to question one's own righteousness, to create the grounds on which a compromise might occur".

The New York Times - Books

Forget greenery or energy security, the grounds on which governments justify subsidising biofuels.

The Economist

But debate about the grounds on which divorce might be allowed will be lengthy.

The Economist

But these were not the grounds on which Birmingham Metropolitan College rolled out their ban.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reason for that, Mr. Edelstein said, was the grounds on which the ruling was made.

The New York Times

The grounds on which the government is advising ISPs to continue to retain data are unclear.

The Guardian - Tech

The grounds on which the men are claiming asylum have not been revealed.

The Guardian

Britain and France back it, but want to restrict the grounds on which the commission can get involved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the grounds on which", ensure the sentence clearly specifies what is being justified or based on those grounds. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentences when using "the grounds on which". Sometimes, simpler phrasing like "the reasons for" can improve readability without sacrificing accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the grounds on which" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It specifies the basis or justification for a subsequent action, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the grounds on which" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that introduces the justification or rationale behind an action, decision, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its formality leans toward neutral to formal, appearing frequently in "news & media", scientific articles, and business documents. While alternatives exist to express similar meanings, "the grounds on which" provides a clear and explicit explanation, aiding in understanding and validation. Therefore, writers should consider the context and audience when choosing between this phrase and simpler options like "the reasons for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the reasons for which

Focuses directly on the 'reasons' behind an action or decision, simplifying the phrasing.

the basis upon which

Replaces 'grounds' with 'basis', providing a similar meaning with a slightly different nuance.

the justification for which

Emphasizes the act of justifying a decision or action, adding a layer of explanation.

the rationale behind which

Highlights the logical reasoning supporting something, focusing on the intellectual foundation.

the premise on which

Draws attention to the foundational assumption or proposition underlying a decision.

the principles underlying which

Focuses on the core beliefs or values that inform a decision or action.

the foundation upon which

Similar to 'basis', but emphasizes the structural or supporting nature of the reason.

the considerations guiding which

Highlights the factors that were taken into account when making a decision.

the criteria determining which

Specifies the standards or benchmarks used to make a judgment.

the cause of which

Identifies the originating factor or reason for something, often implying a direct relationship.

FAQs

What does "the grounds on which" mean?

The phrase "the grounds on which" refers to the reasons, justification, or basis for a particular decision, action, or belief. It explains why something is the way it is.

How can I use "the grounds on which" in a sentence?

Use "the grounds on which" to introduce the reasons or justification for something. For example: "The judge explained "the grounds on which" he dismissed the case".

What are some alternatives to "the grounds on which"?

You can use alternatives like "the reasons for which", "the basis upon which", or "the justification for which", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "the grounds on which" or "the reasons why"?

Both phrases are correct, but "the grounds on which" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. "The reasons why" is more common in everyday language.