dexterous hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dexterous hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is skillful or adept at using their hands, often in contexts related to craftsmanship, surgery, or performing intricate tasks. Example: "The surgeon's dexterous hands moved with precision as he performed the delicate operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Unlike other service animals, capuchin monkeys have dexterous hands and advanced motor skills.

The New York Times

Lucas was a tall, intelligent youth with dexterous hands and 20/10 eyesight that made him a natural shooter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These bones, found with skull bones, are still apelike in some aspects, but it is almost certain that the individual from which they came had dexterous hands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The result was a garish, orange-red tone above the operating table, one that distracted viewers from the bloodied but dexterous hands of Dr. Samuel Gross.

The New York Times - Arts

Our combination of sharp minds, acute senses, dexterous hands, and sure feet have not yet been matched by any machine, and it remains a hugely valuable combination.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Towards much skill behaviors and adequate grasping abilities (i.e. ARTICULATION and DEXTEROUS MANIPULATION), a new phase of dexterous hands have been developed recently with biomimetically oriented and bio-inspired functionalities.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Neural and genetic basis of dexterous hand movements.

Cornell University

In animals, interneuronal systems are also suggested to contribute to the recovery of dexterous hand movements.

The Spine Journal

This paper describes the present research work on the development of the RWC dexterous hand.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

In this paper we present a novel neural network for dexterous hand-grasping inverse kinematics mapping used in force optimization.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The results suggest that the proposed method has great application prospects for the control of multi-DOF dexterous hand prosthesis.

Journal of Bionic Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dexterous hands" when you want to emphasize both the skill and physical ability involved in performing a task with the hands. It's particularly effective when describing craftsmanship, surgical procedures, or musical performance.

Common error

Avoid using "dexterous hands" in situations where simpler terms like "skilled hands" or "capable hands" would suffice. Overusing "dexterous" can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dexterous hands" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "dexterous" modifies "hands". It describes a specific quality of the hands, indicating skill and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dexterous hands" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich way to describe skilled and precise hand movements. While not extremely common, as shown by Ludwig AI, it is readily understood and appropriately used across various contexts including news, science, and academia. When using "dexterous hands", it's best to emphasize contexts where fine motor skills and a high degree of precision are involved, as in surgery or craftsmanship. If the context is less formal, consider using alternatives such as "skilled hands" or "capable hands".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skillful hands

Replaces "dexterous" with a more common synonym, maintaining the meaning of skilled hand use.

deft hands

Synonymous with "dexterous", emphasizing skill and precision.

skilled hands

A direct synonym, focusing on the skillfulness of the hands.

adept hands

Similar to "dexterous", implying skill and efficiency.

agile hands

Suggests quick and nimble hand movements, similar to "dexterous".

nimble fingers

Focuses on the fingers' agility, implying precision and skill.

expert hands

Highlights the expertise and skill level of the hands.

proficient hands

Indicates a high degree of competence in using the hands.

capable hands

Emphasizes the ability and competence of the hands to perform tasks.

masterful hands

Implies a high level of skill and control, suggesting mastery.

FAQs

How can I use "dexterous hands" in a sentence?

You can use "dexterous hands" to describe someone who is skillful at using their hands, especially in tasks requiring precision. For example, "The surgeon's "dexterous hands" were crucial for the delicate operation."

What are some alternatives to "dexterous hands"?

Alternatives include "skillful hands", "agile hands", or "deft hands", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "dexterous hands"?

It is appropriate when describing fine motor skills and precision, such as in surgery, craftsmanship, or playing a musical instrument. It's less suitable for general descriptions of hand usage.

Is "dexterous hands" a formal or informal expression?

While grammatically correct, "dexterous hands" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, "skilled hands" or "capable hands" might be more appropriate.