conjunction · academic
on the grounds that
UK/ɒn ðə ˈɡraʊndz ðæt/US/ɑn ðə ˈɡraʊndz ðæt/on·the·GROUNDS·that
because; used to give a formal reason or justification
Examples
“The claim was dismissed on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence.”
“They refused the application on the grounds that it did not meet the criteria.”
“On the grounds that the data were unreliable, the report was retracted.”
Band 8 sentence
“The committee rejected the proposal on the grounds that it contravened existing regulations.”
Collocations
- on the grounds that + clause
- dismissed/refused/declined on the grounds that ...
Word family
Common mistakes
The visa was rejected on grounds that he lacked funds.→The visa was rejected on the grounds that he lacked funds.
On the grounds the policy failed, they revised it.→On the grounds that the policy failed, they revised it.
Say it for a higher band
5on the basis that→6seeing that→7+on the grounds that
Synonyms
on the basis that
Easily confused
on the basis that
“They acted on the basis that the information was accurate.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Cause & effect
Learn it with its set