a large hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large hand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of a hand, often in contexts related to physical characteristics or actions. Example: "He reached out with a large hand to shake mine firmly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Since the hand is also a target, the �p�e has a large hand guard," said Ms. Purcell.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The bloated vowels of his signature on the landlord's papers make him think of a large hand blurring underwater.

The New Yorker

He had a large hand, and his grip was oddly paternal, but it was just firm enough to tell me I was not allowed there anymore.

Yale University

BS:.Net is "the progeny" of a large organization, though Anders Hjelsberg has a large hand in it through C#, the language he designed, and its libraries.

MIT Technology Review

The report was commissioned by the Army Corps of Engineers, which, acting on the instructions of Congress, has had a large hand in this work.

The New York Times - Science

Not outlaw against the laws of the state – they generally have a large hand in writing those – but outlaw against the laws of physics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

A large hand-painted poster reads: "United we stand, Australia is behind you.

The New York Times - Arts

Behind it was a large hand-painted Pepsodent ad and a center for AIDS orphans.

The New York Times

TAPED to the wall of Elisabeth Moss's apartment here a large, hand-lettered sign reads, "Lock the Door".

The New York Times - Arts

"I want 2 b like u Taylor" read the message on a large hand-painted placard held above the capacity crowd at London's O2 arena.

The Telegraph

The chapel has a large hand-carved wooden tree of life on one wall and constellations of metal stars on the ceiling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, consider the specific context to choose the most fitting synonym for "large". "Big" might be suitable in informal settings, while "substantial" or "sizable" could be more appropriate in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "large" by diversifying your vocabulary. Alternatives like "sizable", "ample", or "substantial" can enhance the descriptive quality of your writing and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large hand" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "large" is an adjective modifying the noun "hand". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its function is descriptive, specifying a characteristic of the hand.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large hand" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the physical size of a hand or, metaphorically, to indicate significant influence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from describing physical attributes in news articles to indicating involvement in academic texts. While synonyms like "a big hand" or "a sizable hand" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality. Remember to diversify your vocabulary to avoid repetition and consider the context to ensure the appropriate connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

big hand

Replaces "large" with "big", offering a more informal synonym.

sizable hand

Substitutes "large" with "sizable", providing a slightly more formal alternative.

substantial hand

Replaces "large" with "substantial", implying a hand of considerable size or importance.

ample hand

Substitutes "large" with "ample", suggesting a hand that is generously sized.

oversized hand

Replaces "large" with "oversized", emphasizing that the hand is bigger than normal.

massive hand

Substitutes "large" with "massive", conveying a sense of great size and weight.

giant hand

Replaces "large" with "giant", implying an exceptionally large hand, often in a figurative sense.

broad hand

Focuses on the width rather than the overall size of the hand.

hulking hand

Substitutes "large" with "hulking", suggesting a hand that is large and unwieldy.

spacious hand

Replaces "large" with "spacious", emphasizing the area or capacity of the hand.

FAQs

How can I use "a large hand" in a sentence?

You can use "a large hand" to describe someone's physical attribute, for example: "He extended "a large hand" in greeting." It can also describe the scale of involvement: "The government had "a large hand" in the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "a large hand"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a big hand", "a sizable hand", or "a substantial hand" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "a large hand" literally?

While "a large hand" is often used literally to describe the size of someone's hand, it can also be used metaphorically to describe significant influence or involvement. Ensure the usage aligns with the intended meaning and context.

What does it mean when someone says "he had a large hand in it"?

When someone says "he had "a large hand" in it", it means they played a significant role or had substantial influence in the matter. It suggests more than just a casual involvement.