hand me

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "hand me" is a valid expression in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone is handing an object to another person. For example, "Can you hand me the salt, please?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Hand me the Prada".

The New York Times

"Hand me that hammer".

The Economist

"Hand me your clothes, please".

The New Yorker

Hand me the orange.

The New Yorker

"Hand me my purse, will you, darling?

The New York Times

"They'd just hand me my Thorazine".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He hands me one.

Independent

He handed me the envelope.

The New York Times

He handed me the latter.

The New Yorker

He handed me the cup.

The New Yorker

He handed me the object.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hand me" in written dialogue, ensure the context clearly indicates what object is being requested to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessively using "hand me" in formal reports or academic papers can make your writing sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "provide" or "supply" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand me" functions as an imperative, directing someone to physically transfer an object to the speaker. Ludwig's examples show it used in a wide variety of contexts, from casual requests to more urgent situations. The phrase initiates action from another person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

16%

Reference

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hand me" is a common and grammatically sound imperative phrase used to directly request an object. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, showcasing its usage across various sources with a stronger presence in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Understanding the subtle differences between "hand me" and related phrases like "pass me" or "bring me" enhances precision in both spoken and written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass me

Similar in meaning, but implies a less direct transfer, perhaps across a distance.

give me

A broader term that can encompass more than just a physical transfer. Slightly less specific.

could you give me

More polite version of "give me", adding a request tone.

bring me

Implies the item is currently elsewhere and needs to be retrieved.

fetch me

Similar to bring, but often implies a longer distance or a task for someone else.

would you mind handing me

A more formal and polite request.

toss me

Suggests a casual or quick transfer, often with a slight throw.

slide me

Indicates transferring the item by sliding it across a surface.

send me

Implies sending the item through a third party or a system.

forward me

Commonly used for digital items, and implies an action of sending it.

FAQs

How to use "hand me" in a sentence?

Use "hand me" when you want someone to give you something. For example, "Hand me the book, please".

What can I say instead of "hand me"?

You can use alternatives like "pass me", "give me", or "could you give me" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it more polite to say "hand me" or "could you hand me"?

"Could you hand me" is more polite than a direct "hand me" because it is phrased as a request rather than a command.

What's the difference between "hand me" and "bring me"?

"Hand me" implies the object is nearby and can be easily transferred, while "bring me" suggests the object is further away and requires more effort to retrieve.