be handed over to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be handed over to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe an object or document being given to someone else in a formal setting. For example, "The signed contract was handed over to the company's lawyer."

✓ 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

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

These would be handed over to the British troops.

The Guardian

"People there are now appealing to be handed over to the UN.

Independent

Will weapons eventually have to be handed over to the United Nations?

The New York Times - Books

Those shares will be handed over to YPFB, potentially wrecking the pension system.

The Economist

The idea that the peacekeeping can then be handed over to the UN is even odder.

The Economist

The case will be handed over to the Attorney General's Office for further investigation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or official procedures, this phrase accurately conveys the process of transferring authority or items.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "They will hand over the documents to the authorities", use "The documents will be handed over to the authorities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be handed over to" functions as a passive construction indicating the transfer of something (e.g., responsibility, authority, physical items) from one party to another. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be handed over to" is a versatile phrase used to describe the transfer of responsibility, control, or physical items from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, science, and formal business settings. When writing, remember to use the passive voice correctly and ensure that the context clearly indicates who is giving and receiving. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""be transferred to"" or ""be passed on to"". By following these guidelines, you can confidently use "be handed over to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be transferred to

Emphasizes the act of moving something from one entity to another.

be passed on to

Highlights the continuation of responsibility or possession to the next in line.

be relinquished to

Focuses on the voluntary giving up of something to another party.

be ceded to

Implies a formal transfer of control or territory.

be entrusted to

Stresses the act of giving someone responsibility with confidence.

be conveyed to

Highlights the formal or legal transfer of something.

be consigned to

Suggests the act of delivering something to a specific destination or recipient.

be surrendered to

Indicates a forced or unwilling transfer of control or possession.

be bequeathed to

Implies that something is transferred as an inheritance.

be remitted to

Suggests the sending of money or funds to someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "be handed over to" to indicate the transfer of responsibility, control, or items. For example, "The investigation will be handed over to the local authorities".

What's a good alternative to "be handed over to"?

Alternatives include "be transferred to", "be passed on to", or "be relinquished to", depending on the context.

Is "be handed over to" formal or informal?

"Be handed over to" is generally considered neutral to formal and is suitable for professional and official contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use "be handed over to"?

Avoid using "be handed over to" in highly informal or casual conversations. Use a more direct verb like "give" or "pass" instead.