to be grounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be grounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is stable, realistic, or well-balanced, often in the context of emotions or behavior. Example: "After a long week of stress, I took some time to meditate and reflect, which helped me to be grounded in my thoughts and feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oh, to be grounded herself.

The New York Times - Books

Laviolette seems to be grounded.

The New York Times - Sports

Some refused to be grounded by terrorists.

The New York Times - Travel

He added, "It has to be grounded in conflict".

The New York Times - Science

"I think she just wants me to be grounded".

The New York Times

Is Flight of the Conchords about to be grounded?

The Guardian

"Continuity of policy has to be grounded in a critical mass of informed citizens," he maintains.

The Guardian

("Eric is still supposed to be grounded for trying to exterminate the Jews two weeks ago").

The New York Times - Arts

It could say no to more F-16s likely to be grounded by future sanctions anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We try to be grounded, but sometimes these tornadoes take us with them".

The New Yorker

"Murderous Maids" is the first interpretation of the story to be grounded in court documents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be grounded" in the context of emotions or personality, ensure it aligns with a sense of stability and realism. For example, "Meditation helps me to be grounded during stressful times".

Common error

Avoid using "to be grounded" to suggest a lack of ambition or vision. Being grounded implies realism and stability, not necessarily a lack of aspiration. Make sure your wording accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be grounded" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used as part of a predicate. It describes a state of being, whether it relates to personality traits (e.g. being sensible) or a physical condition (e.g. an aircraft not flying). Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be grounded" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, ranging from describing a stable personality to indicating a state of restriction or connection to the earth. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts. As shown in the provided examples, it frequently appears in news media, scientific articles, and everyday conversations. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of the specific context to ensure the intended meaning is clear. Remember that while a good use of the phrase could be to describe someone's character, indicating they are practical and stable, it could also indicate to report a situation where something, like a plane, is prevented from operating. Using alternative phrases like "to be down-to-earth", "to be realistic" or "to be sensible" can help in finding the perfect definition for each context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be down-to-earth

Focuses on being practical and realistic, emphasizing a lack of pretension.

to be realistic

Highlights the quality of seeing things as they are, without idealism.

to be level-headed

Emphasizes calmness and rationality, especially in stressful situations.

to be stable

Indicates a state of consistency and reliability, whether emotionally or physically.

to be sensible

Suggests making decisions based on good judgment and reason.

to be well-balanced

Implies having a good equilibrium in various aspects of life.

to be practical

Stresses the importance of usefulness and effectiveness.

to be disciplined

Highlights adherence to rules and self-control, often implying restriction.

to be restrained

Focuses on holding back impulses or emotions, implying a controlled state.

to be penalized

Signifies facing consequences for misbehavior, often involving restriction of privileges.

FAQs

How can I use "to be grounded" in a sentence?

You can use "to be grounded" to describe someone who is sensible and realistic, or to describe an object that is connected to the earth. For example, "She is a very grounded person" or "The lamp needs "to be earthed"".

What does it mean "to stay grounded"?

To stay grounded means to remain practical and realistic, especially when facing success or difficult situations. It involves maintaining a sense of perspective and not letting ego or external factors unduly influence your behavior.

What can I say instead of "to be grounded" when referring to someone's personality?

Alternatives include "to be down-to-earth", "to be realistic", or "to be sensible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to be grounded" versus "to be earthed"?

"To be grounded" is generally used to describe a state of mind or personality, while ""to be earthed"" refers to the electrical safety practice of connecting an appliance to the earth.