are at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is nearby, imminent, or readily available. Example: "The final exams are at hand, and students are busy preparing for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Solutions are at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Technological solutions are at hand.

The New Yorker

Cost-effective solutions are at hand.

The New York Times

A victim and executioner are at hand.

The New York Times

It is 2008, the Olympics are at hand.

The Guardian - Books

So why these munitions, when others are at hand?

The New York Times

If you, too, suffer from E.C.D.S., solutions are at hand.

The New York Times - Tech

Folk artists tend to use whatever materials are at hand: wood, iron, clay, stone and cloth.

The New York Times - Arts

Their message: The messiahs are at hand, distributing fishes and loaves.

The Guardian

A harmonically bright finale tells us hope, redemption, liberty – mankind's highest attainments – are at hand.

The Guardian

Dill, spring onions, peanuts and chilies are at hand to enliven flavor.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are at hand" to indicate that solutions, resources, or events are readily available or imminent. For example: "With these new tools "are at hand", we can solve the problem quickly."

Common error

Avoid using "are at hand" when you mean "are in hand". The former means readily available or imminent, while the latter means already possessed or controlled. Incorrect: "The completed documents "are at hand"." Correct: "The completed documents are in hand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are at hand" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that something is readily available or imminent. It complements the subject by describing its state or condition. Ludwig AI supports this through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are at hand" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates readiness, availability, or imminence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its wide usage across diverse fields such as news, science, and formal business communication. While "are at hand" implies nearness and readiness, "are in hand" suggests possession. For alternatives, you can consider "are readily available", ""are within reach"" or "are imminent". When writing, remember that the expression suits formal and informal contexts alike but should be clearly distinguished from similar-sounding phrases. The expert rating and frequency analysis both point to "are at hand" being a solid and valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are readily available

Highlights the ease and speed of obtaining something when needed.

are within reach

Emphasizes accessibility and ease of obtaining something, rather than just proximity.

are accessible

Focuses on the characteristic of being easy to obtain or use.

are imminent

Stresses the nearness in time of an event or occurrence.

are just around the corner

Implies that something will happen very soon.

are close by

Focuses on physical proximity and nearness.

are near

A simpler and more direct way of expressing proximity.

are in close proximity

Highlights the state of being near in space or time.

are on the horizon

Suggests that something is approaching but may still be some time away.

are forthcoming

Highlights the characteristic of being about to appear or occur.

FAQs

How can I use "are at hand" in a sentence?

Use "are at hand" to indicate that something is readily available or about to happen. For example, "Solutions "are within reach" and the resources "are at hand" to implement them."

What's a good alternative to "are at hand"?

Consider using alternatives like "are readily available", ""are within reach"", or "are imminent depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "are at hand" in formal writing?

Yes, "are at hand" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a sense of readiness and availability in a professional and clear manner. The phrase is frequently used in business, scientific, and academic contexts.

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

"Are at hand" suggests something is nearby and ready to be used, whereas "are in hand" implies possession or control. For example, "The tools "are at hand"" means they're ready for use, while "The tools are in hand" indicates they have been received or are being held.