hand-delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hand-delivered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been personally delivered by hand rather than sent through the mail or another delivery service. Example: "The important documents were hand-delivered to the client to ensure they arrived safely and on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

They hand-delivered them to board members' residences and offices.

The New Yorker

Eight years later, she hand-delivered it to his door.

The New Yorker

The letter was hand-delivered by Mr. Friedman's mother, Fannie.

The New York Times - Books

"I hand-delivered it myself," Mr. Jackson said.

The New York Times

Lynn hand-delivered the letter to Gardner's Fort Collins office.

The New Yorker

That way, it can be hand-delivered early the next morning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Surveys were hand delivered by a GWCPC volunteer to every business located in the study area.

Security Informatics

Want the iPhone 4 hand delivered to you by June 27?

TechCrunch

Surrey County Council said similar leaflets had also been hand delivered to homes in Banstead.

BBC

The rest we hand delivered.

Huffington Post

"I hand delivered it," Buddy Spell told HuffPost.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hand-delivered" when you want to emphasize the personal touch or directness of a delivery, especially when it contrasts with standard mailing or shipping methods.

Common error

Avoid using "hand-delivered" in highly formal or technical documents where a more neutral term like "personally delivered" or "directly delivered" might be more appropriate. Using it in those contexts might feel out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand-delivered" functions primarily as an adjective describing how something was delivered. It modifies a noun, indicating that the item was physically given to someone rather than sent via mail or other indirect means. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, which show it describing letters, checks, résumés, and other items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hand-delivered" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of personally delivering something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, it can lean toward informal, and in highly formal settings, alternatives like "personally delivered" may be preferred. The usage of "hand-delivered" effectively emphasizes the direct, personal, and often urgent nature of the delivery. Common applications include delivering documents, letters, or payments, underscoring the importance of the item and the sender's effort to ensure its safe and timely arrival.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Personally delivered

Emphasizes the personal aspect of the delivery.

Delivered by hand

A more literal and straightforward alternative.

Directly delivered

Highlights the absence of intermediaries in the delivery.

Personally conveyed

Focuses on the act of carrying and delivering something directly.

Delivered in person

Stresses that the delivery was done by someone physically present.

Personally transmitted

Highlights the act of passing something directly to someone.

Delivered via courier

Indicates a dedicated delivery service but still emphasizes directness.

Delivered on site

Specifies that the delivery occurred at a particular location directly.

Delivered forthwith

Emphasizes immediate delivery without delay, often in person.

Manually delivered

Focuses on the physical act of delivery without automation.

FAQs

What does "hand-delivered" mean?

"Hand-delivered" means something was physically delivered by a person rather than sent through the mail or other delivery service.

What's a more formal alternative to "hand-delivered"?

More formal alternatives include "personally delivered" or "directly delivered". These options maintain clarity while sounding more professional.

How to use "hand-delivered" in a sentence?

Example: "The important documents were "hand-delivered" to the client to ensure they arrived safely and on time."

Is "hand-delivered" the same as "delivered by hand"?

Yes, "hand-delivered" and "delivered by hand" are generally interchangeable and have the same meaning.