Learn English – “On grounds of” vs. “on the grounds of”

articlesphrase-usage

Here's the sentence from Wall Street Journal:

…eight individuals have been deported on grounds of national security.

Instead of this, if one says,

…eight individuals have been deported on the grounds of national security.

Any difference?

Best Answer

I can find two rules to define this :

  1. No article is needed before abstract nouns used in a general sense.
    2.Articles are not needed in more abstract expressions of situation like to/at sea, to/at/out of work, in/out of town, in/out of office, etc.

I have a feeling that your expression on the grounds of would fit in as an abstract expression, as grounds is an abstract idea, not literally the ground.

Thus, whether or not you have the definite article doesn't matter. The meaning doesn't change, and there's no difference.

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