hand in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hand in" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to submitting or delivering something, typically a document or assignment. Example: "Please hand in your report by Friday." Alternative expressions include "submit," "turn in," and "deliver."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Hand in glove?

Independent

Reach my hand in?

The New Yorker

That goes hand in hand".

The New York Times - Sports

"Those go hand in hand.

The New York Times - Tech

Jerk hand in direction of travel.

The New York Times

He put his hand in their pockets.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The two have worked hand-in-hand.

The New York Times

Babas and politicians remained hand-in-glove.

The Economist

They were hand-in-glove.

Forbes

Sleep goes hand-in-hand with mood.

Science Magazine

It's hand-in-glove, it fits.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In casual settings, prefer "hand in" or "turn in" over the more rigid "submit".

Common error

Avoid using "hand in" when you mean to distribute items to others. Use "hand out" for distribution and "hand in" for collection by an authority.

How to use

Learn how to use "hand in" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand in" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It consists of the base verb 'hand' and the prepositional particle 'in'. In most sentences identified by Ludwig, it requires a direct object, which is the item being submitted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

55%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academic

2%

Social Media

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "hand in" is a highly versatile and correct phrasal verb used primarily for the act of submission. Whether you are a student submitting a test or an official surrendering a passport, this phrase is the standard choice. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is exceptionally common in instructional material and news reporting. For those seeking more formal alternatives, "submit" is a strong choice, while "turn in" offers a more casual American equivalent. Always ensure you are using it as a verb without a hyphen, as the hyphenated version is reserved for nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submit

More formal and commonly used for digital applications or official documents

turn in

Directly interchangeable in most North American contexts, especially regarding schoolwork

pass in

Specifically used in classroom environments when students pass papers to the front

deliver

Focuses more on the physical transportation of the item to the destination

tender

Highly formal, usually reserved for legal bids or resignations

present

Implies a more formal act of showing or offering something for review

give in

Can mean to submit, but often carries a connotation of surrendering or yielding

return

Used when the item being given back was originally borrowed or required

surrender

Implies a mandatory or forced delivery of items like passports or weapons

forward

Suggests sending something to a recipient through an intermediary or system

FAQs

How do I use hand in in a sentence?

You can use it to describe submitting work or items, such as: "The students had to "hand in" their essays before noon" or "He was ordered to "hand in" his resignation."

What can I say instead of hand in?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "submit" for formal documents, "turn in" for school assignments, or "tender" for resignations.

Is it hand in or hand-in?

Use "hand in" (without a hyphen) as a verb to describe the action. Use "hand-in" (with a hyphen) only as a noun or an adjective, such as "The deadline for the "hand-in" is tomorrow."

What is the difference between hand in and turn in?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable when referring to submitting work. However, "turn in" is more common in American English, while "hand in" is used universally across English dialects.