Collocations for ground - noun
1. solid surface of the earth
ADJ.
firm, hard | muddy, soft, wet | dry, dusty | fertile
(often figurative) The fall of the old regime provided fertile ground for opportunism.
(often figurative) The fall of the old regime provided fertile ground for opportunism.
VERB + GROUND
fall to, hit
The helicopter burst into flames when it hit the ground.
The helicopter burst into flames when it hit the ground.
reach
She''s so short, her feet don''t reach the ground when she sits down.
She''s so short, her feet don''t reach the ground when she sits down.
get off, leave
The plane was so overloaded it couldn''t leave the ground. | (figurative) His plan is too costly to ever get off the ground.
The plane was so overloaded it couldn''t leave the ground. | (figurative) His plan is too costly to ever get off the ground.
GROUND + NOUN
level
A waterproof membrane is built into the wall just above ground level.
A waterproof membrane is built into the wall just above ground level.
PREP.
above/below ~
The roots may spread as far below ground as does the foliage above ground.
The roots may spread as far below ground as does the foliage above ground.
in the ~
a hole in the ground
a hole in the ground
on the ~
He sat down on the ground.
He sat down on the ground.
under the ~
The tunnel goes deep under the ground.
The tunnel goes deep under the ground.
2. area of land
ADJ.
high, low
The village stands on high ground and is not prone to flooding.
The village stands on high ground and is not prone to flooding.
open | difficult, rocky, rough, stony, uneven | marshy
QUANT.
patch, piece
We found a patch of open ground in the middle of the woods.
We found a patch of open ground in the middle of the woods.
3. piece of land used for a particular purpose
ADJ.
burial | dumping | cricket, football, practice, rugby, sports, training | parade | breeding, feeding, hunting
PREP.
at a/the ~
I''ll meet you at the football ground.
I''ll meet you at the football ground.
in a/the ~
all the graves in the burial ground
all the graves in the burial ground
4. grounds: land surrounding a large building
ADJ.
extensive | castle, hospital, palace, school, etc.
VERB + GROUND
be set in, have
The palace is set in extensive grounds.
The palace is set in extensive grounds.
PREP.
in the ~ (of)
Many estate workers lived in cottages in the grounds of the castle.
Many estate workers lived in cottages in the grounds of the castle.
5. area of interest/study/discussion
ADJ.
familiar, firm, home
I was on more familiar ground now that we were talking about our own system.
I was on more familiar ground now that we were talking about our own system.
dangerous, shaky
Legally, we''re on very shaky ground (= our actions may not be legal).
Legally, we''re on very shaky ground (= our actions may not be legal).
safe | common
Both parties in the debate shared some common ground.
Both parties in the debate shared some common ground.
VERB + GROUND
cover, go over
Several researchers have published articles covering this ground. | We just seem to be going over the same ground that we covered last year.
Several researchers have published articles covering this ground. | We just seem to be going over the same ground that we covered last year.
PREP.
on … ~
He knew he was on dangerous ground talking about money.
He knew he was on dangerous ground talking about money.
PHRASES
break new ground
Her architectural designs have broken new ground.
Her architectural designs have broken new ground.
6. grounds: reason for sth
ADJ.
good, reasonable, sufficient, valid
VERB + GROUND
have
The constable had reasonable grounds for arresting her.
The constable had reasonable grounds for arresting her.
give (sb)
His evasiveness gave grounds for the suspicion that he knew more than he was saying.
His evasiveness gave grounds for the suspicion that he knew more than he was saying.
PREP.
on … ~s
Permission to open a mine was denied on environmental grounds.
Permission to open a mine was denied on environmental grounds.
on the ~s of
He resigned from his post on the grounds of ill-health.
He resigned from his post on the grounds of ill-health.
~ for
Drunkenness at work was sufficient grounds for instant dismissal.
Drunkenness at work was sufficient grounds for instant dismissal.