held by hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held by hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is physically grasped or carried using one's hand, often implying a personal touch or direct involvement. Example: "The child was so excited to see the butterfly that she held it by hand, gently admiring its colorful wings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Opened and held by hand, it protects the emerging passenger from the elements.

The New York Times - Travel

The composites produced by this technique are robust and can be held by hand for application to tunable material properties for applications to bioelectronics and soft robotics.

Chemical Engineering Science

In performance the early zhong was either held by hand or placed on a seat with its mouth upward and struck with a mallet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A light meter held by hand within a half inch of the painting measures the foot candles of light, which are generally kept at 10.

The New York Times

Newborn pups were anesthetized by hypothermia, placed under a dissecting scope and held by hand.

Plosone

In other cases, the sample was held by hand and separated from the microscope by a rubber spacer that automatically placed the image in the proper plane such that the center of the field was in focus.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Detroit 1-8-7," like many dramas these days, is shot with handheld cameras, held by hands whose owners seem hopped up on Red Bull.

The New Yorker

As night fell, demonstrators set up tents at a nearby parade ground under triumphal arches made from crossed swords held by hands modeled on those of Saddam Hussein.

Vice

Larger snakes can be held by your neck, while smaller snakes can be held by hands and arms.

WikiHow

The use of a MEMS scanner enabled the probe to be small enough to easily hold by hand and image at 56 frames/sec.

Biomedical Optics Express

If grating by hand: If grating by hand: Cut a large slice of unsliced bread that is comfortable to hold by hand.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or action, use "held by hand" to emphasize the manual aspect, showing direct human involvement and control.

Common error

Avoid using "held by hand" in technical or scientific writing where precision is crucial. Instead, opt for more specific terms like "manually secured" or "hand-operated" to provide a clearer picture of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held by hand" typically functions as a modifier, describing how an object is supported or manipulated. Ludwig examples show it specifying manual control or physical grasping.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held by hand" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize manual support or manipulation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts such as science, news, and wikis. While effective for highlighting direct human involvement, it should be used judiciously in technical writing where more precise terms might be preferable. Related phrases like ""grasped manually"" or ""hand-held"" offer alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. Remember, while "held by hand" underscores manual action, context dictates the most appropriate and impactful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand-held

Similar meaning, but often used as a compound adjective.

grasped manually

Focuses on the action of grasping with the hand.

manually supported

Emphasizes the support provided by the hand.

hand-carried

Highlights the act of carrying something in the hand.

supported by one's hand

A more formal way of saying "held by hand".

carried in the hand

Focuses on the location, that is "in the hand".

manually operated

Emphasizes the manual control rather than just holding.

hand-controlled

Highlights manual control and command.

hand-manipulated

Highlights the skill or action of manipulating with hands.

taken by hand

Focuses on the action of taking or receiving by hand.

FAQs

How can I use "held by hand" in a sentence?

You can use "held by hand" to describe something that is physically grasped or carried using one's hand. For example: "The light meter was "held by hand" within a half inch of the painting."

What are some alternatives to "held by hand"?

Some alternatives to "held by hand" include "grasped manually", "manually supported", or "hand-held", depending on the context.

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

While similar, "hand-held" is often used as a compound adjective (e.g., a hand-held device), whereas "held by hand" describes the action of holding something with one's hand. The distinction is in grammatical function.

When is it appropriate to use "held by hand" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the manual aspect of an action, showing direct human involvement. Avoid it in contexts where more technical or precise language is needed.