at their hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their hand" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used to imply that something is available or within reach of someone, but it is more often expressed in different ways. Example: "The tools were at their hand, ready for use in the project."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"When I'm interviewing prospective designers, I look closely at their hand drawings and their process".

Huffington Post

Now the two of them are in the process of creating a political party to have another tool at their hand to unite all anti-Semites.

Huffington Post

However, they were not allowed to look down at their hand as they collected the next ball from a tray located next to them.

Plosone

None of the victims had used condom nor had condom at their hand during the rape event.

BMC Public Health

Participant's eye movements were monitored by the experimenter and if incorrect movements were made in the non-standard conditions, participants were reminded to always look towards the target and not at their hand; these trials were excluded from further data analyzing.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Instruct them to look at their hand.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

She still weeps at their hand-to-mouth existence.

The New York Times

During another week, students were told to concentrate on one task at a time and to resist looking at their hand-held computers.

The New York Times

I always look at their hands.

Independent

Suffers a sad defeat at their hands.

The New Yorker

Pilecki was executed at their hands in 1948.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "at their disposal" or "within their reach" for clarity, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at their hand" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Modern alternatives often provide a smoother reading experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their hand" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate availability or accessibility. It describes the state of being readily available. Ludwig's examples show a variety of contexts in which this phrase is used to denote proximity or readiness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their hand" signifies that something is available or accessible, though it is less common than alternatives such as "at their disposal" or "within their reach". While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests its use should be considered carefully, especially in formal contexts, where more common alternatives may improve clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific sources, with a neutral register. As confirmed by Ludwig, while technically correct, prioritizing more common phrasing may lead to clearer and more natural-sounding writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at their disposal

Replaces "hand" with "disposal" emphasizing the ability to use something as needed.

within their reach

Focuses on the accessibility of something, suggesting it is easily obtainable.

available to them

Highlights the accessibility of something.

in their possession

Emphasizes ownership or control rather than immediate availability.

under their control

Highlights the aspect of having control or authority over something.

at their fingertips

Suggests ease of access and immediate readiness, similar to "at their hand" but more vivid.

at their command

Indicates the ability to direct or order something to be done.

accessible to them

Stresses the ability to gain access to something when needed.

on hand

A shorter, more informal way of saying something is readily available.

ready for their use

Clarifies that something is prepared and available for use by the specified people.

FAQs

What does "at their hand" mean?

The phrase "at their hand" means something is available or accessible to someone. It implies readiness or possession for immediate use.

What can I say instead of "at their hand"?

You can use alternatives like "at their disposal", "within their reach", or "available to them" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at their hand"?

While grammatically correct, "at their hand" is not as commonly used as other similar phrases. It may sound slightly formal or old-fashioned.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when using "at their hand"?

Ensure the context makes it clear what is available or accessible. Using stronger, more common alternatives might enhance clarity.