extend our hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend our hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are offering help, support, or friendship to others. Example: "In times of crisis, we must extend our hands to those in need and offer our assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We extend our hands to our neighbors.

The New York Times

We need to extend our hands and help people and the planet.

University of California, Berkeley

"My wife and I extend our hands to you, Mr. Mayor, and to you, Chief Schultz," he said.

The New Yorker

Feel free to call upon us as we freely extend our hands, minds and efforts to the necessary changes that America must achieve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Wohlgemuth said community leaders had not yet met with the new owners but wanted to "extend our hands to work with them".

The New York Times

"We extend our hands in peace and friendship to the Palestinian people," he said, adding that he hoped Mr Obama's visit would "turn a page" in relations with the Palestinians.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We extend our hand in friendship and in sympathy to Carol and to Peter.

The New York Times

Here are the quotes in full: We extend our hand in peace to the Palestinians.

The Guardian

We must extend our hand to Ukraine, as Poland has already done with such determination.

The New York Times

"I think it's up to us to extend our hand, as we have before," he said.

The New York Times

With permanent normal trade relations, we have made the right choice, to extend our hand rather than merely clenching our fist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extend our hands" to signal a genuine offer of help, reconciliation, or partnership. It works best when there's a need to bridge a gap or overcome a challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "extend our hands" in contexts where a more concrete action is expected. It's a symbolic gesture, not a substitute for tangible assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend our hands" functions as an idiomatic expression used to offer help, support, or reconciliation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase serves as a figurative way of expressing goodwill and a willingness to assist or collaborate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extend our hands" is a figurative expression that signifies offering help, support, or goodwill. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It is often used in contexts where there is a need to bridge gaps or foster collaboration. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to ensure it is used appropriately and not as a mere substitute for concrete action. Alternatives such as "offer our assistance" or "lend our support" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Its usage spans across News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business categories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer our assistance

Replaces "extend" with "offer" and "hands" with "assistance", focusing on the act of providing help.

lend our support

Substitutes "extend our hands" with "lend our support", emphasizing backing and encouragement.

reach out in friendship

Replaces the physical action with a relational intention, emphasizing connection and goodwill.

offer a helping hand

Uses the idiomatic expression "helping hand" instead of directly mentioning "hands", adding a touch of traditional warmth.

provide our aid

Focuses on delivering help and resources, replacing the metaphor of extending hands.

show our support

Emphasizes the visible display of backing and encouragement.

express our solidarity

Conveys unity and agreement, rather than direct assistance, with a more formal tone.

offer our goodwill

Focuses on positive intentions and benevolent feelings.

demonstrate our compassion

Highlights empathy and care in response to others' needs.

foster collaboration

Shifts the focus to cooperative effort and mutual engagement.

FAQs

What does it mean to "extend our hands" to someone?

To "extend our hands" means to offer help, support, or friendship to someone. It's often used when trying to create a connection or resolve a conflict.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "extend our hands"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase when offering assistance, seeking reconciliation, or proposing collaboration. It's suitable in situations where goodwill and a willingness to help are being expressed.

What are some alternatives to saying "extend our hands"?

Some alternatives include "offer our assistance", "lend our support", or "reach out in friendship" depending on the specific context.

Is "extend our hands" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "extend our hands" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially when conveying a message of peace or reconciliation.