【问】 《英语惯用法词典》(葛传椝著，P.283)说：

“‘on the ground of’(以……为理由)里不可用plural式。”

真的是这样吗?

【答】 这种说法不符合英语的实际使用情况。CGEL给出的形式是：on(the) ground(s) of(见§9.11)，我们再看几个实例：

1. He left on(the) grounds of ill health[that he was ill].(LDCE)

他因病离去。

2. He was excused on the ground(s) of his illness. (ELD)

他由于有病而被原谅了。

3. He was always declining their invitations on ground of ill health...(EED)

他由于身体不好总是谢绝他们的邀请……

4. He resigned on the ground of illness.

他以生病为理由辞职了。

5. She was prohibited from speaking on the grounds that it would stir up trouble. (EED)

有人以可能引起麻烦为理由而禁止她发言。