be handed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be handed over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is transferred from one person or group to another. For example: "The documents were handed over to the court for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rest would be handed over to the province's handful of big state-owned operators.

The Economist

The suspect will be handed over to German federal prosecutors.

The New York Times

The reigns should be handed over to Luke Shaw.

Independent

The local authorities indicated it would be handed over later.

The New York Times

These would be handed over to the British troops.

The Guardian

Which tasks will be handed over to machines?

Harvard Business Review

The Aphrodite is to be handed over in 2010.

The New York Times - Arts

Another £400m could be handed over by 2027.

The Guardian - Business

When will authority be handed over to the Iraqi people?

The New York Times

He should be handed over to this administration and executed".

The New York Times

The cash will not be handed over immediately.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be handed over" to clearly indicate the transfer of responsibility, authority, or physical items from one entity to another. Ensure the context clarifies both the giver and receiver.

Common error

Avoid using "be handed over" when the active voice is more direct and appropriate. For example, instead of "The documents will be handed over by the lawyer", prefer "The lawyer will hand over the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be handed over" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving an action rather than performing it. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts involving transfer of responsibility, control, or physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be handed over" is a versatile passive construction used to describe the transfer of something from one entity to another. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used. As examples show, it is especially common in News & Media and Science, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts. While effective, consider using the active voice for more direct communication. When used appropriately, "be handed over" clearly communicates a transfer of responsibility, authority, or physical items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be transferred

Focuses on the act of moving something from one place or person to another, often in a more general sense.

be relinquished

Emphasizes the voluntary surrender of something, often a right or power.

be turned over

Suggests a more formal or official transfer, often to authorities.

be passed on

Implies a sequential transfer, often from one generation to the next.

be ceded

Highlights the formal giving up of territory or rights, often in a treaty.

be conveyed

Indicates the formal or legal transfer of property or information.

be entrusted

Focuses on the act of giving someone responsibility or authority.

be bequeathed

Refers specifically to the transfer of property through a will.

be surrendered

Implies a forced or unwilling transfer, often in a conflict.

be yielded

Suggests giving way to pressure or demand, resulting in a transfer.

FAQs

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

You can use "be handed over" to describe the transfer of something, like: "The suspect will "be handed over" to the authorities", or "The responsibility will "be handed over" to the new team".

What are some alternatives to "be handed over"?

Alternatives include "be transferred", "be relinquished", or "be turned over", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be handed over"?

While "be handed over" is passive, active voice is often more direct. Instead of "The task will "be handed over" by John", consider "John will hand over the task". Choose the voice that best suits your emphasis and clarity.

What does it mean when something will "be handed over"?

It signifies that something will "be transferred" from one person or entity to another. The specific meaning depends on the context, but it generally indicates a change of possession or responsibility.