change of hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "change of hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where ownership or possession of something is transferred from one person or entity to another. Example: "The painting was sold at auction, marking a significant change of hands in the art world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The purchase is the show's third change of hands in less than three years.

The New York Times

The territorial change of hands also appears to have reduced the involvement of Palestinian women.

The New York Times

There is a long history of byelections delivering a change of hands but proving nothing at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

He settled in New York in 1977 and soon made news beyond his own select circle with the rare change of hands of a Gutenberg Bible.

The New York Times

"But I'll guess that when this is over, that this probably will prove to have been the change of hands with the least loss of life of any time in modern memory in that country.

The New York Times

It was a change of hands". For better or worse, it seems, the firm must be restored to its original proprietorship: not Carver & Lish Ltd; just Raymond Carver Enterprises.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Aldo Scaglione, in a review of the second edition, wrote that "one immediately senses the change of hand" between chapters by different authors.

Wikipedia

Mr. Shorto describes the strange process of tracing its provenance through many changes of hands.

The New York Times - Books

Then you will need to track where it goes next - the progress of a project from the initial collector to the person who uses it in a lab to the drug - can involve many changes of hands".

BBC

These data also imply that our results described for aged rats might bear relevance for humans, as they confirm significant differences in the magnitude of age-related perceptual changes of hand and foot.

Plosone

To our knowledge, there is no known work based on CFD method which compares different phases of underwater front crawl hand motion with appropriate changes of hand orientation.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "change of hands", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being transferred (e.g., ownership, control, responsibility). Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject of the transfer.

Common error

Avoid using "change of hand's" as it implies a singular hand possessing something. The correct form is "change of hands" to indicate a transfer between multiple parties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change of hands" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the act of transferring ownership, control, or possession from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "change of hands" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the transfer of ownership, control, or possession. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being transferred. While variations exist, such as "transfer of ownership" or ""shift in control"", "change of hands" offers a concise way to convey this concept. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Remember to avoid the incorrect possessive form "change of hand's".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transfer of ownership

Focuses specifically on the legal transfer of ownership from one entity to another.

shift in control

Emphasizes the alteration in who has authority or command over something.

passing into new ownership

Highlights the act of something becoming owned by someone new.

transfer of power

Implies a change in who holds authority or influence.

succession

Suggests a sequential transfer, often in a formal or hierarchical context.

acquisition

Refers to obtaining possession or control of something, often a company or asset.

handover

Implies a formal transfer of responsibility or control.

transition of authority

Focuses on the change in who holds official power or command.

reassignment of responsibility

Highlights the shifting of duties or tasks to a different party.

new management

Specifically refers to a change in the leadership or administrative body of an organization.

FAQs

What does "change of hands" mean?

The phrase "change of hands" refers to the transfer of ownership, control, or possession of something from one person or entity to another.

How can I use "change of hands" in a sentence?

Example: "The company experienced a significant "shift in control" when the new CEO took over after the "change of hands".".

What can I say instead of "change of hands"?

You can use alternatives like "transfer of ownership", ""shift in control"", or "passing into new ownership" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "change of hand" instead of "change of hands"?

While the phrase "change of hands" is the common idiom for a transfer between parties, "change of hand" can be used, though less frequently, to refer to a transition related to a single hand or individual. Using "change of hands" is preferred in most contexts involving transfer of ownership or control.