Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

hands on policy

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hands on policy" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "hands-on policy." You can use it to describe a policy that involves direct involvement or active participation in a particular area or activity.
Example: "The new hands-on policy encourages employees to engage directly with clients to better understand their needs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Syria is among the foreign affairs issues on which Clinton is gradually establishing a much more hands-on policy than the White House has adopted.

Though Al Gore had an unusually hands-on policy role, few vice presidents enjoyed the power Mr. Cheney had during the Bush campaign and in the preparations for office.

News & Media

The New York Times

But friends and associates say that Ms. Kennedy, 51, is no dilettante, and that her career is replete with examples of the kind of hands-on policy work and behind-the-scenes maneuvering that could serve her well.

News & Media

The New York Times

He immediately declared a "hands off" policy on statements about Palin's pregnant unmarried teenage daughter.

News & Media

Huffington Post

On the other hand, from the beginning of the 80s, Holdgate (2003: 225) held not only CS responsibilities, but was also in control of key policy functions (he was in charge of environmental protection policy) and of the strategic Central Planning Unit (not that he saw this as other than a burden); Pereira never had his hands directly on policy levers.

Science & Research

Nature

Did she have reservations about the Helms-Burton law, which ties the president's hands on Cuba policy?

News & Media

The Economist

Yes, he has chastised House Republicans on the budget, and told Senate Republicans not to tie the president's hands on foreign policy.

News & Media

The New York Times

"You could almost feel the community say, 'This is enough,' " he said, adding that as more people began patrolling their neighborhoods and cooperating with law enforcement, the city adjusted its policing strategy to an "all hands on deck" policy.

News & Media

The New York Times

The Gary-Harris partnership allows students at UChicago to gain hands on public policy experience while offering their energy and expertise to the city.

Congress doesn't have a lot of viable options to force the president's hand on foreign policy — other than incredibly confrontational ones such as suing or impeaching him.

The Indian government has what it calls a "hands off, eyes on" policy to the tribe, meaning officials moor boats near the island every few months to check on the inhabitants' welfare.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the hyphenated form "hands-on" when describing a policy that requires active participation. For example, "a hands-on policy" is preferable to "a hands on policy".

Common error

Avoid using "hands on" as an adjective before a noun without including a hyphen. The correct form is "hands-on". For instance, it should be "hands-on experience" rather than "hands on experience".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hands on policy" attempts to function as an adjective modifying the noun "policy". However, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "hands-on policy". Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "hands on policy" is intended to describe a policy involving active and direct participation, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is the hyphenated "hands-on policy". As Ludwig AI notes, using the unhyphenated form is a grammatical error that should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives such as "active policy" or "practical policy" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Always ensure correct hyphenation to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

What does "hands-on policy" mean?

A "hands-on policy" refers to an approach where individuals are actively and directly involved in the implementation and management of the policy. It emphasizes practical experience and direct engagement rather than a detached or theoretical approach.

How to correctly use the term "hands-on" in relation to policy?

When describing policy, always use the hyphenated form "hands-on" as an adjective. For example, "The company adopted a "hands-on approach" to policy implementation" is grammatically correct.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hands on policy"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "hands-on policy", where "hands-on" functions as a compound adjective modifying "policy".

What are some alternatives to "hands-on policy"?

Alternatives include "active policy", "practical policy", or "participatory policy-making", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: