hands on the game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hands on the game" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey involvement or engagement with a game, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "I prefer to have my hands on the game rather than just watching others play."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I glance at my own hands on the game controller.

The Guardian - Tech

When Electronic Gaming Monthly editors got their hands on the game, they were googly-eyed at how bloody the game actually got.

TechCrunch

"We can't wait for fans to get their hands on the game to develop their own unique strategy to orchestrate and explore the perfect park experience".

TechCrunch

A few weeks later we got our hands on the game's impressive trailer.

TechCrunch

(Some journos have already got their hands on the game, which doesn't make me jealous at all).

Vice

I've not had my own hands on the game yet, so how it feels to play is still an unknown – but my attention is pleasingly piqued like it wasn't before.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The nice thing about Gamescom is that gamers get their hands on the games.

The Guardian - Tech

On top of that, the two publications also include reviews, previews and interviews long before online publications get their hands on the games.

TechCrunch

She has been super hands-on with the game design, with a lot of input on the details and the music," Rovio's marketing chief Peter Vesterbacka told the Guardian.

The Guardian - Tech

Reward and risk go hand in hand on the game show.

Los Angeles Times

Once fans get their hands on this game, the levels that we see are going to be crazy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you mean getting physical access to the game, consider rephrasing as 'getting access to the game'.

Common error

Avoid using "hands on the game" when you mean actively playing or experiencing the game. The phrase can be unclear and is often better replaced with more direct alternatives like "playing" or "engaging with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hands on the game" attempts to describe active participation or direct interaction. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's not considered standard English. The intended function is to convey involvement or experience.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "hands on the game" appears in various online sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. This means it's not considered grammatically correct or widely accepted. While the intended meaning is usually clear—referring to active participation or direct interaction with a game—it's advisable to use more common alternatives such as "playing the game", "interacting with the game", or "experiencing the game" to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion. These alternatives are more conventional and align with standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

playing the game

Focuses on the action of participating in the game.

being involved in the game

Highlights a state of participation or engagement within the game's context.

interacting with the game

Emphasizes the interactive experience with the game.

controlling the game

Highlights the aspect of having control over the game's events.

experiencing the game

Focuses on the overall user experience of the game.

engaging with the game

Highlights the active participation and interest in the game.

using the game

Focuses on the functional aspect of utilizing the game.

accessing the game

Emphasizes the act of gaining entry or availability to the game.

operating the game

Highlights the mechanical aspect of managing the game.

manipulating the game

Focuses on influencing or altering the game state.

FAQs

What does "hands on the game" mean?

While not standard English, "hands on the game" is sometimes used to describe actively playing, interacting with, or controlling a video game. It's generally better to use clearer alternatives like "playing the game" or "interacting with the game".

How can I rephrase "hands on the game" for better clarity?

Instead of "hands on the game", try using phrases like "experiencing the game", "engaging with the game", or simply "playing the game". These options are more common and easily understood.

Is "hands on the game" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "hands on the game" is not considered correct in standard written English. It's preferable to use more conventional expressions.

Which is more appropriate, "hands on the game" or "hands on the games"?

Neither is ideal. But if you want to imply getting physical access to the game, "hands on the games" might be the best option.