handled with care

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handled with care" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when referring to something that needs to be treated delicately or cautiously. For example, "The antique vase should be handled with care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Planes stored here are handled with care.

The New York Times

Discussions have to be handled with care.

The Guardian - Opinion

Experiments with potentially monstrous ramifications should be handled with care.

The Guardian

These almost always have to be handled with care.

The Guardian

But figures need to be handled with care.

The Economist

The results, nevertheless, must be handled with care.

The Economist

Until then all estimates and projections should be handled with care".

The Guardian

Twitter, he suggested, is "a context-free zone" and should always be handled with care.

The Guardian

This may be inevitable, but it needs to be handled with care and it requires resources.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the curators, the museum is an object to be handed down and handled with care.

The Guardian - Travel

books that are so influential that they must be handled with care (and spread to everyone).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how to manage sensitive information, use "handled with care" to emphasize the need for confidentiality and respect.

Common error

While "handled with care" is a useful idiom, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language by using synonyms like "treated delicately" or "approached cautiously" to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handled with care" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that an object or situation requires careful management or treatment. Ludwig shows that this is widely used across multiple domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "handled with care" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that advises caution and sensitivity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's important to consider synonyms to avoid repetition and tailor the language to the specific situation. Key alternatives include "treated with caution", "approached with sensitivity", and "dealt with delicately". Overall, the frequency and consistent application of this phrase underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examined with attention

Focuses on giving full attention and consideration.

dealt with delicately

Emphasizes the need for a gentle and refined approach.

treated with caution

Implies a level of wariness or suspicion in addition to careful handling.

addressed with mindfulness

Highlights the importance of being present and aware in dealing with situations.

approached with sensitivity

Focuses on empathy and understanding in dealing with delicate situations.

managed with prudence

Highlights the wisdom and foresight required in handling matters carefully.

negotiated with tact

Specifically refers to careful communication and diplomacy in resolving conflicts.

administered with precision

Focuses on accuracy and exactness in executing tasks.

implemented with diligence

Stresses the importance of thoroughness and persistence.

analyzed with scrutiny

Emphasizes the need for close examination and critical evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "handled with care" in a sentence?

You can use "handled with care" to emphasize the need for caution and sensitivity when dealing with delicate or important matters. For example: "The negotiations were "dealt with delicately"." or "The evidence must be "examined with attention"."

What are some alternatives to "handled with care"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "treated with caution", "approached with sensitivity", or "dealt with delicately".

Is it appropriate to use "handled with care" in formal writing?

Yes, "handled with care" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider the specific context. In some cases, a more precise term like "managed with prudence" or "administered with precision" may be more suitable.

What does it mean when something should be "handled with care"?

When something should be "handled with care", it means that it requires a careful, cautious, and often sensitive approach due to its fragility, importance, or potential for causing harm or offense. This can also be expressed as needing to be "approached with mindfulness".