easier to hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easier to hand" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to convey that something is more readily available or accessible, but it is not commonly used. Example: "This tool is easier to hand than the previous model, making it more convenient for quick tasks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's always easier to hand the ball off rather than drop back.

The New York Times - Sports

This is bad for patients and weakens the system making it easier to hand over to private companies in future.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, Ms. Samalin and other experts say, children are making too many decisions, often subsidized by money, which is easier to hand out than attention.

The New York Times - Health

In other words, it becomes so much easier to hand undocumented immigrants substandard housing or dangerous jobs if we call them "illegals" and categorize them as lazy and shiftless.

University of California, Berkeley

Let's be honest, if mum and dad want to relax on a meal out, it's much easier to hand over a gadget to their child and all sit in silence while they wait for their food than bother to interact with each other.

Independent

It follows reports suggesting infrastructure upgrades had made it easier to hand on users' chat data.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"It's a lot easier to hand-wave about Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck than it is to sort out what might have actually motivated the shooter," says a post on the Verum Serum blog.

The Guardian

This, apparently, was to make the transition easier to handing over to eight commissioning groups by April 2013.

The Guardian

But tax cuts are easy to hand out, while closing loopholes takes a bit more spine.

The Washington Post

The swipes, 40 for $34, can lure even the most defiant child into holding still to get protected, and are easy to hand out to adults clutching Coronas.

The New York Times

But it's well worth thinking about ordering any roomy cupboard for the same purpose – just make sure everything is easy to hand and view, so one sweeping glance triggers a tsunami of inspiration.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as convenient or accessible, consider using stronger and more common alternatives like "more accessible" or "more readily available" instead of "easier to hand".

Common error

Avoid using uncommon expressions like "easier to hand" in formal writing. While not grammatically incorrect, it can sound unnatural and detract from clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easier to hand" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying an implied action related to giving or providing something. It suggests a comparison in the level of difficulty associated with performing that action. While understandable, it is not the most common way to express this idea. Ludwig AI indicates that it may cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "easier to hand" isn't strictly incorrect, it's an uncommon expression that may cause confusion. Ludwig AI suggests opting for clearer, more widely accepted alternatives like "more accessible" or "more readily available". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts but its usage is limited across all domains. For clarity and impact, especially in formal or professional writing, prioritize more conventional phrases. Therefore, even if understandable in many contexts, it's advisable to replace it with more standard vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more accessible

Focuses on the accessibility aspect, removing the "hand" metaphor.

more readily available

Emphasizes availability rather than physical transfer.

more convenient to use

Highlights the convenience factor.

simpler to provide

Shifts the focus to providing something.

easier to distribute

Replaces "hand" with a more general term for giving out.

more manageable

Focuses on the manageability aspect.

more practical to give

Highlights the practicality of giving something.

more straightforward to allocate

Replaces "hand" with allocating.

quicker to offer

Emphasizes speed in offering.

more within reach

Focuses on the attainability aspect.

FAQs

What does "easier to hand" mean?

The phrase "easier to hand" is not a standard English expression. It could be interpreted as something that is more convenient to give or provide, but it's best to use clearer alternatives.

How can I use "easier to hand" in a sentence?

While grammatically understandable, "easier to hand" is not commonly used. Consider using phrases like "more accessible" or "more readily available" instead.

What can I say instead of "easier to hand"?

You can use alternatives like "more convenient", "simpler to provide", or "more accessible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "easier to hand" or "easier to give"?

"Easier to give" is generally preferred over "easier to hand" as it is more common and clearer. Although "easier to hand" might be understood, it's less conventional.