Meaning & use
ground rules
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Meanings
nounplural
The basic rules that people agree to follow so that an activity, discussion or relationship can work smoothly.
Grammar: Used in the plural: the ground rules are clear, not a ground rule is clear.
Patterns
- ground rules for something
- set ground rules
Before the meeting began, the chair explained the ground rules for discussion.
Parents should set ground rules about screen time.
We agreed on some ground rules before moving in together.
nounpluralformal
The basic principles that decide how something will operate, especially when negotiations begin.
Grammar: Often follows the verbs lay down or establish: they laid down ground rules.
Patterns
- lay down the ground rules
- ground rules of something
The two countries first settled the ground rules for the talks.
The ground rules of the contest were posted online.
The editor laid down the ground rules for contributors.
Common combinations
- set ground rules
- The teacher set ground rules on the first day.
- lay down the ground rules
- The manager laid down the ground rules for remote work.
- agree on ground rules
- The group agreed on ground rules for the project.
- basic ground rules
- Everyone must follow the basic ground rules.
- break the ground rules
- He was asked to leave for breaking the ground rules.
Synonyms and how they differ
- guidelines
- Guidelines are suggestions to follow, while ground rules are agreements you are expected to obey.
- regulations
- Regulations are official rules from an authority, but ground rules are informal and agreed within a group.
- principles
- Principles are underlying beliefs, whereas ground rules are practical behavior rules.
Opposites
Word family
- ground noun
- the basis or foundation of something
- rule noun
- an instruction about what is allowed
- groundwork noun
- preparation done before the main work
Commonly confused: ground rules or groundwork?
ground rules vs groundwork
Groundwork means early preparation, not rules, so do not use it when you mean agreed behavior.
Practice
Before the debate started, the host explained the ___ so that nobody would interrupt.
Choose one answer.
Ground rules are the agreed rules of behavior for an event; groundwork is preparation, and the other options mean something else.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ground rules”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.