without good grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without good grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being done or believed without sufficient justification or evidence. Example: "The decision to terminate the contract was made without good grounds, leading to significant backlash from the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Administration of Palestine shall not, in granting these authorizations, act in such a way as to exclude scholars of any nation without good grounds.

Yale University

These were later vehemently disputed by the logician Gottlob Frege, not without good grounds.

SEP

In my opinion, Legends and its lawyer have legal and ethical obligations not to threaten a lawsuit without good grounds.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Urban Nigerians are used to switching from one language to the next, but without good grounding in basic grammar and orthography of either English or their mother tongue, code switching becomes more difficult.

The Guardian

I kept changing direction without good reason.

The New York Times

And not without good reason.

Vice

"The danger there is that you can't really help somebody without a good grounding, and you could make it worse".

The Guardian

The same reader had good grounds for another complaint about a cut-out without a caption.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the Kantian doctrine of right can be defended, then we have good grounds to uphold a version of formal equal opportunity without being under normative pressure of good reasons to go further and embrace any substantive equal opportunity doctrine.

SEP

All good grounds to leave.

Independent

There are good grounds for concern.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without good grounds" to convey a sense of unjustified action or belief, particularly in formal or legal contexts. It is more impactful when emphasizing the lack of a solid foundation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "without good grounds" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler phrases like "without a good reason" or "for no reason" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without good grounds" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically describing the manner in which an action is performed or a decision is made. It indicates the absence of a legitimate or justifiable basis for that action or decision. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies verbs like 'threaten', 'exclude', suggesting a lack of valid reasons.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without good grounds" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, typically found in formal contexts like legal, academic, and journalistic writing. According to Ludwig, the phrase indicates that something is done or believed without sufficient justification or evidence. While not frequently used, it serves to express disapproval or question the validity of an action or decision. For less formal situations, consider using alternatives like "without sufficient reason" or "without valid justification".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without valid justification

Emphasizes the absence of a legitimate or acceptable reason.

without sufficient reason

Highlights the lack of adequate rationale or explanation.

without adequate basis

Focuses on the absence of a firm foundation or support for an action or belief.

without reasonable cause

Implies the lack of a justifiable or sensible motive.

unjustifiably

Adverb form indicating that something is done unfairly or without justification.

without any basis in fact

Highlights the lack of factual support or evidence.

without warrant

Suggests the absence of authorization or legitimate claim.

arbitrarily

Emphasizes that something is done based on random choice or personal whim, without reason.

capriciously

Suggests acting impulsively and unpredictably, without any good reason.

without a leg to stand on

Idiomatic expression indicating a lack of any valid argument or defense.

FAQs

How can I use "without good grounds" in a sentence?

The phrase "without good grounds" indicates that an action, decision, or belief lacks sufficient justification or a valid reason. For example: "The lawsuit was dismissed because it was filed without good grounds".

What is a more straightforward alternative to "without good grounds"?

Alternatives include "without sufficient reason", "without valid justification", or simply "unjustifiably", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "without good grounds" or "without a good reason"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "without good grounds" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. "Without a good reason" is suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing.

What does it mean if someone accuses me of acting "without good grounds"?

It means they believe your actions are not justified, reasonable, or supported by evidence. It suggests that your decisions are arbitrary or based on poor judgment.