Meaning & use
level ground
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
land that is flat and does not slope
Grammar: No plural; use 'the level ground' or 'level ground' without 'a'.
Patterns
- on level ground
- find level ground
- stand on level ground
The children played on the level ground near the river.
We need to find level ground before we set up the tent.
The house was built on level ground so it would be safe.
noununcountablefigurative
a situation where everyone has the same advantages or chances
Grammar: Used figuratively, often in the phrase 'on level ground' or 'a level playing field'.
Patterns
- on level ground
- compete on level ground
The new rules put small businesses on level ground with big ones.
We want all students to compete on level ground.
Common combinations
- on level ground
- The race was held on level ground.
- stand on level ground
- Make sure the ladder stands on level ground.
- level ground for building
- They looked for level ground for building.
- meet on level ground
- The two sides agreed to meet on level ground.
Synonyms and how they differ
- flat land
- Very similar, but flat land can also describe a large area of low, even country, not just a small flat spot.
- even ground
- Less common and more literary; even ground emphasizes no bumps, while level ground emphasizes no slope.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: level ground or ground level?
level ground vs ground level
Ground level means the height of the ground floor of a building, not flat land. The plane flew at ground level.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'level ground' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Level ground is uncountable, so it takes no 'a' and no plural '-s'. Option 1 wrongly adds 'a'; options 2 and 3 wrongly make it plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “level ground”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.