hand out

USAGE SUMMARY

"hand out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean to distribute something, typically to a large group of people. For example, "The teacher handed out the exam papers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I just hand out money.

The New York Times

These schemes sometimes hand out vast sums.

The Economist

After that I hand out snacks.

The New York Times

"Someone stuck his hand out at me.

The New York Times

Police officers can hand out penalty notices.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We just hand out ballots here".

The New York Times

I hand out flyers and deliver groceries.

The New York Times - Magazine

Chuck's staff don't just hand out guns.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Until you read the exhibition hand-out.

The Guardian - Arts

She's not looking for a hand-out.

Huffington Post

Not a hand-out, but a hand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal context, consider using a more formal synonym like "distribute" or "allocate".

Common error

Avoid replacing "hand out" with overly formal words like "promulgate" in everyday contexts. This can make your writing sound unnatural and pretentious. Choose synonyms that match the tone and audience of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hand out" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the act of distributing items to multiple recipients. As shown in Ludwig, examples include "hand out money", "hand out newspapers", and "hand out flyers".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hand out" is a common and correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of distributing items, often in an informal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various situations, particularly in news, media and instructional content. While more formal synonyms like "distribute" exist, "hand out" remains a versatile choice for general use. Its widespread presence across diverse sources underscores its acceptability and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give out

A direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of informality and directness.

pass out

Similar to "hand out", but may also imply a wider or less controlled distribution.

distribute

A more formal synonym for "hand out", suitable for official contexts.

deal out

Often used in the context of distributing cards or similar items.

dispense

A more formal and often automated method of distributing items.

issue

Implies an official or authorized distribution.

allocate

Suggests a planned distribution, often of resources or tasks.

circulate

Suggests spreading something among a group.

provide

A general term indicating the act of supplying something.

share

Implies dividing something amongst a group, often equally.

FAQs

How do I use "hand out" in a sentence?

The phrasal verb "hand out" means to distribute something. For example, "The teacher will "hand out" the tests" or "Volunteers "hand out" flyers at the event".

What can I say instead of "hand out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "distribute", "give out", or "pass out" to mean the same thing.

Is "handing out" grammatically correct?

Yes, "handing out" is the present participle form of the phrasal verb "hand out", and is used in continuous tenses. For example, "She is "handing out" brochures".

What is the difference between "hand out" and "give away"?

"Hand out" generally means to distribute something, while "give away" means to give something as a gift or for free. You "hand out" flyers, but you might "give away" prizes.