already in hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already in hand" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been obtained, acquired, or is already in one's possession. For example, "I already have the materials needed for the project in hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And in her case, the patent is already in hand.

The New York Times

In fact, the official word in New York is that those benefits are already in hand.

The New York Times

Western arms companies are battling for the business.Several contracts are already in hand.

The Economist

Arrangements are already in hand to meet them "as soon as practicable", Chilcot said.

The Guardian

The nine already in hand include "Dog Eat Dog" from Colombia and "Everlasting Moments" from Sweden.

The New York Times

Prospects for 2010 are bright, with $22 million in stimulus funding and several new large awards already in hand.

Princeton University

A grand slam when a team already leads 7-0 gets little credit, since the game is already in hand.

The New York Times

"It's already in hand," she said, and therefore was not subject to price increases because of higher wellhead prices.

The New York Times

Nearly every tale ends with the same punch line: the technology to do this is already in hand.

The New York Times - Books

"Steps are already in hand to ensure that high-fat, -salt and -sugar foods will not be advertised to children.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Fortunately, for Altucher he had a job offer already in-hand.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already in hand" to convey efficiency and preparedness. It assures your audience that necessary resources, plans, or information are secured and ready for use, projecting confidence and control.

Common error

Avoid using "already in hand" when you mean "at hand". "Already in hand" signifies prior possession or arrangement, while "at hand" indicates nearness or imminence. For example, say "The solution is at hand" (meaning near), not "The solution is already in hand" unless you specifically mean you already possess the solution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already in hand" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is possessed, secured, or prepared in advance. Ludwig AI confirms the correct grammatical usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "already in hand" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is possessed, secured, or prepared beforehand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and business settings. While alternatives like "readily available" or "secured in advance" exist, "already in hand" effectively communicates readiness and control. Remember to distinguish it from "at hand", which signifies nearness rather than possession. With numerous examples from authoritative sources, its prevalent use underscores its importance in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in one's possession

This phrase directly focuses on the state of owning or holding something.

readily available

This alternative emphasizes the ease of access and immediate usability of something, shifting the focus from possession to availability.

at one's disposal

This suggests that something is available for use as needed, implying a degree of control and access.

in readiness

This highlights the state of being prepared and ready for use.

pre-prepared

This emphasizes the act of preparing something ahead of time.

secured in advance

This emphasizes that the acquisition or securing of something happened before a specific need or event.

prearranged

This implies that plans or preparations have been made ahead of time, so something is ready.

in stock

This is particularly applicable when referring to items that are available for sale or distribution.

under control

While not directly about possession, this suggests a situation where all necessary elements are managed and ready.

on standby

This suggests that something is available and waiting to be used if needed, often implying a state of alertness.

FAQs

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

You can use "already in hand" to indicate that something is possessed, secured, or prepared in advance. For instance, "With the funding "already in hand", the project can begin immediately".

What's the difference between "already in hand" and "at hand"?

"Already in hand" means something is possessed or secured, while "at hand" refers to something being near or imminent. For example, "The necessary documents are "already in hand"," versus "The deadline is "at hand"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "already in hand"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "readily available", "in one's possession", or "secured in advance".

Is it appropriate to use "already in hand" in formal writing?

Yes, "already in hand" is suitable for formal writing, as it is a clear and professional way to indicate that something is readily available or has been previously secured. It's commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts.