On these grounds
Academic discourse marker used to connect ideas
Use it to link your evidence to a final decision when you want to sound authoritative and logical.
En 15 secondes
- A formal way to say 'for these specific reasons.'
- Used to connect evidence to a final logical conclusion.
- Common in legal, academic, and high-level professional contexts.
Signification
Think of this as a fancy way to say 'because of the reasons I just mentioned.' It is like building a house on a solid foundation of facts and then standing on that floor to make your final point.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Rejecting a business proposal
The projected costs are too high and the timeline is unrealistic; on these grounds, we cannot proceed.
The costs are high and the timeline is bad; because of this, we won't do it.
Explaining a personal boundary
You lied to me twice. On these grounds, I don't think I can trust you with this secret.
You lied, so I won't tell you the secret.
A formal academic debate
The experiment failed to produce consistent results. On these grounds, the hypothesis must be rejected.
The test failed, so the idea is wrong.
Contexte culturel
The phrase originates from the legal and philosophical tradition of 'sufficient reason.' In English-speaking cultures, being 'grounded' or having 'grounds' implies that an individual is rational and disciplined. It reflects a cultural value placed on evidence-based decision-making rather than purely emotional responses.
The 'Therefore' Upgrade
If you find yourself using 'therefore' or 'so' too much in an essay, swap one out for 'On these grounds.' it instantly makes your writing sound more sophisticated.
Don't use it for feelings
Avoid saying 'I feel sad; on these grounds, I'm going to bed.' It sounds weird because feelings aren't usually considered 'grounds' in English logic.
En 15 secondes
- A formal way to say 'for these specific reasons.'
- Used to connect evidence to a final logical conclusion.
- Common in legal, academic, and high-level professional contexts.
What It Means
On these grounds is a phrase used to justify a decision or a conclusion. The word grounds here doesn't mean the dirt outside. It means the 'foundation' or 'basis' for your logic. When you use this, you are telling people that your opinion isn't just a random guess. You are saying your choice is built on specific, solid facts. It is like saying, 'Based on this evidence, here is my final answer.'
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase after you have already explained your reasons. It acts as a bridge between your evidence and your final decision. You can start a sentence with it to sound very authoritative. For example, 'The data is wrong. The budget is empty. On these grounds, we must stop the project.' It makes you sound like a judge delivering a final verdict. You can also put it at the end of a sentence to add a bit of dramatic weight.
When To Use It
This is a 'power phrase' for professional and academic settings. Use it in a business meeting when you need to reject a proposal firmly. It is perfect for formal essays or debates where logic is king. You might also use it in a serious conversation with a friend if you want to show you have thought deeply about a problem. It works well when you need to be persuasive and organized. It says, 'I am a person of logic and reason.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for tiny, everyday choices. If you tell your roommate, 'The milk is expired; on these grounds, I shall not drink it,' you will sound like a character from a Victorian novel. It is too heavy for casual settings. Don't use it when you are just sharing a feeling or a vibe. It requires actual evidence to work. If you use it without giving reasons first, people will be very confused. It is for 'big' logic, not 'small' talk.
Cultural Background
This phrase has deep roots in the English legal system. In a courtroom, a lawyer must have 'legal grounds' to sue someone or object to a question. Over time, this moved from the courtroom into general academic and professional English. It carries the 'weight of the law' with it. When you use it, you are tapping into a history of formal justice and structured argument. It implies that there is a standard of proof being met.
Common Variations
You will often hear on the grounds that, which is followed by a specific reason. For example, 'He was fired on the grounds that he was always late.' You might also hear on moral grounds or on legal grounds. These variations specify exactly what kind of 'floor' you are standing on. People also use on solid grounds to emphasize how strong their argument is. It’s all about that architectural metaphor of stability.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is strictly formal. Using it in a casual setting will likely be interpreted as sarcasm or an attempt at humor because it sounds so 'official.'
The 'Therefore' Upgrade
If you find yourself using 'therefore' or 'so' too much in an essay, swap one out for 'On these grounds.' it instantly makes your writing sound more sophisticated.
Don't use it for feelings
Avoid saying 'I feel sad; on these grounds, I'm going to bed.' It sounds weird because feelings aren't usually considered 'grounds' in English logic.
The Legal Secret
In the UK and US, if a judge says there are 'no grounds' for a case, it means the case is thrown out immediately. It's a very powerful concept of having the 'right' to speak.
Exemples
6The projected costs are too high and the timeline is unrealistic; on these grounds, we cannot proceed.
The costs are high and the timeline is bad; because of this, we won't do it.
The speaker uses the phrase to give a firm, professional 'no.'
You lied to me twice. On these grounds, I don't think I can trust you with this secret.
You lied, so I won't tell you the secret.
This adds a serious, almost 'contractual' weight to a personal relationship.
The experiment failed to produce consistent results. On these grounds, the hypothesis must be rejected.
The test failed, so the idea is wrong.
Standard academic usage to dismiss a theory based on data.
The acting was wooden and the plot made no sense. On these grounds, I demand you pay for my popcorn.
The movie sucked, so you owe me money for the snacks.
Using a formal phrase for a silly situation creates a funny, dramatic effect.
The contract was breached by the employer. On these grounds, the employee is seeking damages.
The boss broke the rules, so the worker wants money.
This is the most literal and traditional use of the phrase.
I have a deadline tomorrow and a cold starting. On these grounds, I'll have to skip the party.
I'm busy and sick, so I'm not coming.
Makes a simple refusal sound more like a thought-out decision.
Teste-toi
Choose the best phrase to complete this formal rejection letter.
The applicant lacks the required certification. ___, we are unable to offer him the position.
'On these grounds' connects the lack of certification (the reason) to the rejection (the result) formally.
Complete the sentence to show a logical conclusion.
The weather forecast predicts a blizzard. ___, the school board has cancelled all classes.
The blizzard is the 'ground' or basis for the decision to cancel school.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 'On these grounds'
Talking to a sibling about dinner.
So, because of that...
Explaining a choice to a coworker.
For these reasons...
Writing a legal or academic paper.
On these grounds...
A judge delivering a court ruling.
Upon these grounds, the court finds...
When to use 'On these grounds'
Job Interview
Explaining why you left a previous role.
University Essay
Concluding an argument about history.
Serious Argument
Explaining why you are ending a lease.
Sarcastic Joke
Explaining why you won't eat broccoli.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsEssentially, yes, but it is much more formal. It implies that you have a structured set of reasons rather than just one simple cause.
Only if you are being funny or very dramatic. Otherwise, it will make you sound like you are writing a legal contract to your friends.
Metaphorically, yes. It refers to the 'foundation' of an argument, much like the ground is the foundation of a building.
On these grounds refers back to things you already said. On the grounds of is followed by the reason immediately, like on the grounds of health.
It is used in both! It is a standard part of formal English across the globe, especially in legal and academic circles.
Yes, it is a great transition phrase. It tells the reader that the previous paragraph contained the evidence for what you are about to say.
It is almost always plural (grounds). Saying on this ground is rare and usually refers to actual physical land.
Usually, no. It is for logical, objective reasons. Use it for facts, data, or moral rules instead of just 'I don't like it.'
Absolutely! It is a classic C1/C2 phrase that shows you understand the nuances of formal discourse and logical connection.
The most common mistake is using it without providing any reasons first. You must have 'grounds' before you can stand on them!
Expressions liées
In light of this
Considering the information just provided.
By virtue of
Because of a specific quality or power.
For this reason
A simpler, more common way to connect cause and effect.
Given the circumstances
Considering the current situation.
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