ground
ground — verb
1. the form of the verb 'grind' that you use when you are talking about the past, w
the form of the verb 'grind' that you use when you are talking about the past, with the basic meaning of crushing something into very small pieces using a machine or a tool
Hao had already ground the coffee beans before his guests arrived.
ground as past participle in past perfect tense
The old mill in the village ground wheat into flour every morning.
ground as simple past tense for a repeated action
Emre ground his teeth in frustration when the train left without him.
Freshly ground black pepper gives the sauce a much better taste.
- crushed
more general — crush works for any material; grind specifically uses friction
- milled
technical term for processing grain in a mill
- pulverized
more formal and suggests very fine powder
文法句型
ground + noun phrase (transitive)
ground (intransitive, e.g. teeth grinding)
用法筆記
Only appears as the past tense or past participle of the verb 'grind'. It does not exist as a separate verb meaning — if you need the present form, use 'grind'.
常見錯誤
2. when a ship or boat touches the bottom of a sea, river, or lake and becomes stuc
when a ship or boat touches the bottom of a sea, river, or lake and becomes stuck there, unable to move anymore
The fishing boat grounded on some rocks near the coast of Kenting.
intransitive: boat + ground + on [obstacle]
The cargo ship grounded on a sandbar off the coast of Keelung.
intransitive: ship + grounded + on [obstacle]
The captain tried to steer away, but the ship grounded on a sharp reef.
After the typhoon, several small boats were found grounded along the muddy shore.
- run aground
phrasal alternative, equally common in maritime contexts
- beached
usually implies the ship is deliberately or permanently on shore
- set sail
to begin a journey on water, the opposite of getting stuck
文法句型
ground + on + noun phrase (intransitive)
be grounded (passive)
ground + noun phrase (transitive)
用法筆記
Often used in the passive form. The phrasal expression 'run aground' is a common alternative that means the same thing.
常見錯誤
3. to order that an aircraft must stay on the ground and not fly, usually because o
to order that an aircraft must stay on the ground and not fly, usually because of bad weather, mechanical problems, or other safety concerns
All flights at Songshan Airport were grounded after the earthquake damaged the runway.
passive: flights + be grounded + after [event]
The airline grounded its fleet of small planes for safety checks.
active: airline + ground + aircraft + for [reason]
Heavy snow grounded the rescue helicopters for the whole weekend.
The government grounded all private drones during the military exercise.
- keep on the ground
periphrastic and less formal
- prevent from flying
explanatory but not a single-word verb
- clear for takeoff
to give permission to fly
文法句型
be grounded (passive)
ground + noun phrase (active)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an airline, airport authority, or government. The aircraft is the direct object in active sentences. Can also apply to drones and other flying vehicles.
常見錯誤
4. to stop a child or teenager from leaving the house or enjoying social activities
to stop a child or teenager from leaving the house or enjoying social activities as a form of punishment for bad behaviour
Jisoo's parents grounded her for two weeks after she lied about her grades.
ground + [person] + for + [time period]
Mateo was grounded from his video games because he failed his maths exam.
passive: be grounded from [activity]
Sade grounded her son for the whole weekend when he came home after midnight.
The teenagers were grounded for a month when their parents caught them skipping school.
- confine to the house
more formal and neutral in tone
- restrict
broader — applies to many situations, not just parental punishment
文法句型
be grounded + for + time period
be grounded + from + activity
ground + noun phrase + for + time period
用法筆記
Only applies to children and teenagers living with parents or guardians. Never use for workplace discipline or adult punishment.
常見錯誤
5. to attach a wire between an electrical device and the earth so that electricity
to attach a wire between an electrical device and the earth so that electricity can safely escape if there is a fault in the equipment
The electrician grounded the new water heater before turning on the power.
active: [person] + ground + [device]
All outdoor power sockets must be properly grounded to prevent electric shocks.
passive: must be grounded — safety requirement
Eleni asked the technician to check that her guitar amplifier was grounded.
The repairman showed Iris how the outdoor lamp was grounded to the metal pole.
- earth
BrE equivalent — same meaning, different regional term
文法句型
be grounded (passive)
ground + noun phrase (active)
用法筆記
In British English, the word 'earth' is used instead of 'ground' for this meaning (e.g., 'Is the appliance properly earthed?').
常見錯誤
6. to base an idea, argument, or belief on a particular set of facts, principles, o
to base an idea, argument, or belief on a particular set of facts, principles, or life experiences — most often used in the passive form 'be grounded in'
Christopher's research is grounded in years of work with communities in Southeast Asia.
passive: be grounded in + [experience/evidence]
The teacher's approach is grounded in the belief that every child can learn.
Professor Saira's arguments are grounded on solid data from five scientific studies.
A fair society should be grounded in the idea that everyone has the same rights.
- based on
more common in everyday speech; 'grounded in' sounds more formal and solid
- founded on
similar register, often used for institutions or principles
- rooted in
metaphorical — suggests deep historical or emotional connection
- unsupported
not backed by evidence
- unfounded
based on no evidence at all
文法句型
be grounded in + noun phrase
be grounded on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice ('be grounded in/on'). The active form ('ground something in/on') is very rare in modern English. Use 'base' instead if you need an active verb.
常見錯誤
ground — noun
1. the solid outer layer of the world that people walk on and that plants, building
the solid outer layer of the world that people walk on and that plants, buildings, and roads sit on, especially when compared with the air above or the water of the sea.
The ball hit the ground with a soft thud before rolling into the bushes.
When the snow melted, the ground turned muddy and slippery.
Birds were pecking at something on the ground near the bench.
The pilot guided the plane down safely and touched the ground gently.
Amira lay on the ground and stared up at the stars.
常見錯誤
2. the loose dark or brown material at the top of the earth's surface, where plant
the loose dark or brown material at the top of the earth's surface, where plant roots take in food and water to live and grow.
Otis dug a hole in the ground and planted a small apple tree.
collocation: dig in the ground; plant in the ground
The ground here is too dry and sandy for growing vegetables.
Daichi knelt down and pushed the seeds gently into the warm ground.
After the heavy rain the ground was soft and easy to dig.
The gardener mixed compost into the ground to help the flowers grow.
用法筆記
Countable as 'a ground' is rare; usually uncountable. Use 'soil' when focusing on quality or type ('sandy soil', 'rich soil').
常見錯誤
3. a defined outdoor area set aside for a particular activity, such as playing spor
a defined outdoor area set aside for a particular activity, such as playing sport, parking vehicles, or holding a public event.
The children played football on the school sports ground every afternoon.
collocation: sports ground
Henry parked his car on the hospital parking ground near the entrance.
collocation: parking ground
A large fairground was set up on the empty ground next to the river.
The camping ground had cooking areas, showers, and a small shop.
Darius took his dog to the recreation ground behind the park.
用法筆記
Often appears in compound nouns: 'playground', 'fairground', 'camping ground', 'proving ground'. The plural 'grounds' can also mean the land around a large building (see sense 4).
常見錯誤
4. the gardens, lawns, and outdoor areas that surround a large house, school, hospi
the gardens, lawns, and outdoor areas that surround a large house, school, hospital, or other institution, often enclosed by a fence or wall.
Students were not allowed to leave the school grounds during lunch.
collocation: school grounds
The hospital grounds include a rose garden and a path for patients to walk.
Reema walked through the castle grounds and admired the old oak trees.
The hotel grounds are beautifully kept, with flowers blooming year-round.
A guard patrols the embassy grounds twenty-four hours a day.
用法筆記
Always plural ('grounds') in this sense. Refers specifically to the land belonging to a property, not just any outdoor area.
常見錯誤
5. a reason for thinking or doing something, especially a valid or logical basis fo
a reason for thinking or doing something, especially a valid or logical basis for a belief, action, or a formal decision such as a legal ruling.
The court accepted her complaint on the grounds of unfair treatment at work.
pattern: on the grounds of + noun phrase
Aaron refused the job offer on the grounds that the salary was too low.
pattern: on the grounds that + clause
There are strong grounds for believing that the plan will succeed.
The doctor had no medical grounds to keep the patient in hospital any longer.
Gabriela resigned from the committee on personal grounds.
- reason
everyday word; 'grounds' is more formal and suggests a legal or official basis
- basis
focuses on the foundation or principle, less common in informal speech
- justification
stronger; implies that the reason is morally or logically defensible
文法句型
grounds + for + noun/gerund
grounds + that-clause
on the grounds of/that
用法筆記
Usually plural ('grounds') in formal contexts. Used in set phrases: 'on the grounds of…', 'on the grounds that…', 'grounds for…'. In everyday speech, 'reason' is more natural; 'grounds' sounds legal or formal.
常見錯誤
6. a particular subject, field of knowledge, or set of ideas that someone is famili
a particular subject, field of knowledge, or set of ideas that someone is familiar with or exploring.
The two scientists found common ground in their research on climate change.
idiom: common ground (shared interests/beliefs)
The professor was teaching on familiar ground when he explained ancient Greek history.
The new study covers ground that no researcher has explored before.
Tamar felt she was on shaky ground when the discussion turned to tax law.
The report goes over old ground and offers nothing new to the debate.
用法筆記
Frequently appears in figurative expressions: 'common ground' (shared opinions), 'firm ground' (strong knowledge), 'shaky ground' (weak knowledge), 'cover new ground' (do something original), 'go over old ground' (repeat known information).
常見錯誤
7. the level of public acceptance or support that an idea, belief, or political gro
the level of public acceptance or support that an idea, belief, or political group has, especially when described as increasing or decreasing (this meaning appears mostly in the fixed phrases gain ground and lose ground)
The idea of a four-day work week has been gaining ground in several European countries.
gain ground — become more popular
Online education gained ground rapidly after schools closed during the pandemic.
The movement to reduce plastic packaging is gaining ground among younger shoppers.
Renata noted that renewable energy gained more ground in five years than in the previous two decades.
文法句型
gain/lose + ground
用法筆記
Always appears in the verb phrases 'gain ground' or 'lose ground.' The noun itself does not vary; the verb carries tense and aspect changes.
常見錯誤
8. the position of an idea, belief, or group when it is declining in acceptance or
the position of an idea, belief, or group when it is declining in acceptance or influence, used in the fixed phrase lose ground to show that something is becoming less popular or effective
Traditional newspapers have been losing ground to online news platforms for more than a decade.
lose ground to [competitor]
The ruling party lost ground in the rural regions during the last election.
Cheap synthetic fabrics are losing ground as consumers choose more sustainable options.
Esme watched her favourite brand lose ground to newer, cheaper competitors in the market.
- decline
broader meaning; 'lose ground' implies a direct comparison with a gaining counterpart
- fall behind
more informal; focuses on relative position rather than absolute acceptance
- gain ground
the direct opposite in the same fixed-phrase pattern
文法句型
lose + ground
用法筆記
Opposite of sense 7. Often followed by 'to' to name the gaining competitor or alternative. This sense and sense 7 are frequently used in political and business reporting.
9. a conductive path, typically a wire, through which stray electricity is sent int
a conductive path, typically a wire, through which stray electricity is sent into the earth to prevent harm to users
The electrician checked that the ground wire was firmly attached to the metal pipe.
collocation: ground wire
Kemi's old toaster lacked a ground, so she bought a newer model.
Ziad connected the ground to the copper rod buried outside the house.
Without a proper ground, an electrical fault can give the user a serious shock.
- earth
British English equivalent; identical function
文法句型
ground + wire / connection / fault
用法筆記
Called 'earth' in British English; 'ground' is the American term. In Taiwan, both '接地' and 'ground' are used in technical contexts.
常見錯誤
10. the tiny particles that remain after coffee has been brewed, usually settling be
the tiny particles that remain after coffee has been brewed, usually settling beneath the liquid
Christopher emptied the coffee grounds from the filter into the kitchen compost bin.
collocation: coffee grounds
Min used the leftover grounds to make a gentle face scrub at home.
The coffee grounds in the cup made the last sip taste gritty and bitter.
Luca sprinkled used coffee grounds around the tomato plants to keep snails away.
- sediment
more general term for any solid particles settled in a liquid; more formal
文法句型
the grounds
coffee grounds
用法筆記
Almost always used as a plural noun ('grounds'). The singular form 'ground' in this sense is rare and only appears in compounds like 'coffee ground.'
常見錯誤
11. the act of starting something original or doing something never done before, or
the act of starting something original or doing something never done before, or the first digging at a construction site (used in the phrase break new ground or break ground)
The research team broke new ground with their study of how memories form during sleep.
break new ground — innovate in research
Quan's fashion designs broke new ground by combining traditional fabrics with modern cuts.
Construction crews will break ground on the new community centre next spring.
The mayor attended the ceremony to break ground for the city's first public library.
文法句型
break + (new) + ground
用法筆記
'Break new ground' is almost always metaphorical (innovation). 'Break ground' without 'new' commonly refers to the literal start of construction. Both are fixed phrases — the noun does not vary freely.
12. the surface or area that lies behind the main subject of a painting, pattern, or
the surface or area that lies behind the main subject of a painting, pattern, or design, onto which the design is applied
The artist painted white daisies on a bright red ground for contrast.
on a + colour + ground — design description
The wallpaper has a pattern of gold leaves on a pale green ground.
Liang chose a dark blue ground for the mural to make the figures stand out.
The fabric features small yellow birds on a cream-coloured ground.
- background
more general and more common in everyday use; 'ground' is more specific to art and design
- base
used in crafts and painting for the first layer of colour
- foreground
the area of a painting or image that appears closest to the viewer
文法句型
on a + adjective + ground
用法筆記
Common in descriptions of textiles, wallpaper, and paintings where a pattern or image appears on a single-colour background. In modern everyday English, 'background' is more common; 'ground' is more technical or decorative.
ground — adjective
1. Ground food such as meat, coffee, spices, or nuts has been through a machine tha
Ground food such as meat, coffee, spices, or nuts has been through a machine that breaks it down into tiny particles or a smooth powder.
Élise bought fresh ground coffee from a shop in Tainan.
collocation: ground coffee
The recipe asks for two spoons of ground cinnamon.
Layla sprinkled ground black pepper over the grilled mushrooms.
Ground pork mixed with chopped vegetables makes excellent dumpling filling.
Adina uses freshly ground nutmeg for her holiday cookies.
- minced
Used mainly for meat and onions; 'ground' is more general and also applies to coffee, spices, and nuts
- crushed
Refers to coarser, more uneven pieces (e.g. crushed peppercorns) whereas 'ground' suggests finer, more uniform particles
- powdered
Describes an even finer texture than 'ground', such as powdered sugar; 'ground' covers a range from coarse to fine
- milled
Usually implies processing in a mill (e.g. milled flour); 'ground' is broader and includes food processors and grinders
- whole
Whole beans, whole spices, or whole nuts keep their original form, the opposite of being ground
文法句型
ground + noun (e.g. ground coffee, ground beef)
adverb + ground + noun (e.g. freshly ground pepper)
用法筆記
Commonly used before a noun (attributive position) to describe food that has been put through a grinder. Applies most often to coffee, meat, pepper, spices, nuts, and grains. Can be modified by adverbs such as 'freshly', 'coarsely', or 'finely'.