extend a hand

USAGE SUMMARY

'extend a hand' is a valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea of offering assistance, guidance, or support to someone in need. For example: To deal with his grief, he found comfort in his friends who extended a hand in kindness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"To extend a hand of friendship.

The Guardian

I extend a hand toward him.

The New Yorker

That thinking underpinned the "extend a hand" policy towards Iran.

The Guardian

Now, you can help our alliance to extend a hand of cooperation across the Black Sea".

The New York Times

"I'm sure he's magnanimous enough to forget the past and extend a hand of friendship".

The New York Times

In a conciliatory victory speech she offered to "extend a hand" to the opposition.

The Economist

What I would hope they would do is extend a hand to women.

Independent

Jokes, even bad jokes, may extend a hand to a drowning man.

Independent

(APPLAUSE) If we can extend a hand to banks on Wall Street when they get into trouble, we can extend a hand to Americans who are struggling, often through no fault of their own.

The New York Times

The movie is so timid it's like someone who flinches when you extend a hand to shake.

The New York Times

"At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people," the president said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extend a hand" when you want to convey the idea of offering help, friendship, or support, especially in situations where a gesture of goodwill is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "extend a hand" in literal contexts where physical extension is the primary focus. The phrase is almost always used metaphorically to mean offering assistance or kindness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend a hand" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. It signifies the act of offering assistance, support, or friendship. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extend a hand" is a common and accepted idiomatic expression that means to offer help, support, or friendship. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage, especially in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it's in a metaphorical sense of offering aid rather than a literal physical action. Consider alternatives like "offer assistance" or "lend a helping hand" for similar meanings. Always ensure your intended meaning is to convey generosity and willingness to support others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lend a helping hand

Similar meaning but adds the adjective 'helping' to emphasize the supportive nature of the action.

reach out to

Emphasizes making contact with someone, often to offer help or sympathy.

offer assistance

Focuses on the act of providing help, omitting the metaphorical 'hand'.

provide support

A more general term for giving assistance, not necessarily physical.

be supportive

Focuses on the general act of giving support.

offer friendship

Highlights the aspect of goodwill and amicable relations.

give aid

More formal and direct, implies providing tangible help.

show compassion

Focuses on demonstrating empathy and care.

offer a gesture of goodwill

More formal, emphasizing positive intentions.

provide an olive branch

Suggests an attempt to reconcile or make peace.

FAQs

What does it mean to "extend a hand" to someone?

To "extend a hand" means to offer help, support, or friendship to someone in need or to signal a desire for reconciliation. It's a gesture of goodwill and assistance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "extend a hand"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the act of offering assistance, support, or reconciliation. It works well in both formal and informal contexts where you want to highlight a gesture of goodwill.

What can I say instead of "extend a hand"?

You can use alternatives like "offer assistance", "lend a helping hand", or "reach out to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "extending a hand" different from "offering a hand"?

While both phrases convey the idea of offering help, "extend a hand" often suggests a more deliberate and significant gesture of goodwill. "Offering a hand" can be more general, while "extend a hand" often implies overcoming some barrier or reluctance to offer assistance.