authorities handed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorities handed over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where officials or governing bodies transfer control, responsibility, or information to another party. Example: "After the investigation concluded, the authorities handed over the case files to the legal team for further review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And within a blink of an eye, the tax authorities handed over £143m – just like that.

The Guardian - Opinion

CAIRO — We had been detained by Egyptian authorities, handed over to the country's dreaded Mukhabarat, the secret police, and interrogated.

The New York Times

(He was publicly humiliated, and was forced to convert from Judaism to Christianity; the authorities handed over his estate and half his money to his enemies).

The New Yorker

Belgrade authorities handed over today a Bosnian Serb wanted on genocide charges at the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal, a breaking move welcomed by the United Nations.

The New York Times

The revelations this week about how the CIA and British authorities handed over a suspected jihadi to torturers in Pakistan may sound at first glance like a hangover from the Bush years.

Independent

Wainwright said that Europol had helped identify the four suspects after Austrian authorities handed over to the Hague-based agency information about the vehicle on Thursday and Europol ran it through its databases.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The localist agenda implies local authorities handing over boxes of public services Lego to communities, or to community organisations, to build what is appropriate for them.

The Guardian

The PSNI invoked the US-UK mutual legal assistance treaty and won a landmark legal judgment in the US supreme court that resulted in Boston College authorities handing over 10 taped testimonies of IRA activists.

The Guardian

Since 1988, more than 120 local authorities have handed over 600,000 council properties, valued at £5 billion, to housing associations.

The Economist

After a long delay, the Swiss authorities have handed over documents relating to the payments of 640m rupees ($40m in 1989) by the Swedish arms maker into various Swiss bank accounts.

The Economist

At the request of the Athens government, the British financial authorities recently handed over a detailed list of about 400 Greek individuals who have bought and sold London properties since 2009.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "authorities handed over", ensure the context clearly identifies both the transferring authority and the recipient to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify 'the federal authorities handed over the suspect to local police' instead of just 'authorities handed over the suspect'.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by clearly specifying which "authorities" are involved, especially in contexts where multiple levels or types of authority exist (e.g., federal, state, local). Lack of clarity can lead to confusion about responsibility and jurisdiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authorities handed over" functions as a declarative statement indicating the transfer of control, responsibility, or items from an official entity to another party. Ludwig's examples demonstrate usage across diverse scenarios, from legal proceedings to international relations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "authorities handed over" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as supported by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe instances where power, responsibility, or physical items are transferred from an authority to another party. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. For more formal settings, consider alternative phrases. To avoid ambiguity, always specify the authority involved and the recipient of the transfer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorities transferred custody

Focuses on the transfer of physical control or responsibility for a person or object.

authorities gave up control

A simpler way of saying authorities relinquished their authority or power.

authorities relinquished control

Highlights the act of giving up control or power.

officials turned over

Uses a more general term for authority figures and a more informal verb.

authorities passed on responsibility

Emphasizes the transfer of duties or obligations.

administration transferred

Relates to the action of transferring decisions, projects, control or similar.

authorities ceded authority

A more formal way of saying authorities gave up their power or jurisdiction.

government released

Highlights a formal release of control or information.

officials surrendered

Emphasizes a forced or unwilling transfer of authority.

government passed down

Shows a formal delivery or transferring of decisions or documents.

FAQs

How can I use "authorities handed over" in a sentence?

Use "authorities handed over" to describe a situation where governing bodies transfer control, responsibility, or information to another party. For example: "The federal authorities handed over the investigation to the state police."

What can I say instead of "authorities handed over"?

You can use alternatives like "authorities transferred custody", "authorities relinquished control", or "authorities passed on responsibility" depending on the context.

Is it formal to use the phrase "authorities handed over"?

The phrase "authorities handed over" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "authorities ceded authority" might be preferred in strictly formal writing.

What's the difference between "authorities handed over" and "authorities gave up control"?

"Authorities handed over" suggests a deliberate transfer, while "authorities gave up control" might imply a less voluntary or more forced relinquishment of power or responsibility.