handed in

USAGE SUMMARY

"handed in" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to give or submit something to someone in a formal or official manner. Example: I handed in my essay to my teacher before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Goma's police have handed in their weapons to M23.

The Economist

Fayyad first handed in his resignation on Feb. 23.

The New York Times

Essays should be handed in at the end.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ted McGrath handed in some cool stuff.

Vice

When I handed in my resignation letter, fear crept in.

Huffington Post

I should have handed in some better work.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The polarization is also left-handed in the afternoon cusp latitudes (GDH, MAW and BJN).

Earth, Planets and Space

All participants were right-handed in that they wrote with their right hand.

Brain

Heavy-handed in many ways, "W.

The New York Times

He homered batting right-handed in the third and batting left-handed in the seventh.

The New York Times

A fine and moving film, if heavy-handed in places.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handed in" when you want to emphasize the act of formally submitting something, like an assignment or resignation. Ensure the context is appropriate for a phrasal verb.

Common error

While "handed in" is generally acceptable, avoid it in extremely formal or legal documents. Opt for more formal alternatives like "submitted" or "filed" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "handed in" functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the item being submitted). It describes the act of formally submitting something to an authority or recipient. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a standard usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "handed in" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe the act of formally submitting something. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "submitted" may be preferred in certain situations. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science sources. Remember to use "handed in" when referring to a completed action in the past and "hand in" for present or future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submitted

A more formal and concise alternative, often used in academic or professional contexts.

turned in

An informal alternative, commonly used in educational settings.

delivered

Emphasizes the act of transferring something to a recipient, suitable when the method of delivery is important.

passed in

Commonly used in classroom contexts when handing in work to a teacher.

presented

Implies a more formal or ceremonial act of giving something.

lodged

Suggests a formal submission, often with official documentation or in a legal context.

filed

Specifically used for submitting official documents or legal papers.

gave in

Suggests reluctantly yielding or submitting something after resistance.

tendered

A formal term for offering or presenting something, often a resignation or bid.

relinquished

Implies giving up something, often with a sense of loss or sacrifice.

FAQs

How to use "handed in" in a sentence?

You can use "handed in" to describe the action of submitting something, such as "I "handed in" my report on time" or "All students must "hand in" their assignments by Friday".

What can I say instead of "handed in"?

You can use alternatives like "submitted", "turned in", or "presented" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "handed in" or "hand in"?

"Handed in" is the past tense form, used when the action is completed. "Hand in" is the base form, used in the present tense or with modal verbs, such as "I will "hand in" my homework tomorrow".

Is "handed in" formal or informal?

"Handed in" is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for most everyday contexts. In very formal or legal settings, a more formal alternative like "submitted" may be preferable.