in her hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"in her hand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the location of an object that is being held by someone. For example, "She carried the book in her hand as she walked to school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was blood in her hand".

The New York Times

He put a fork in her hand.

The New Yorker

She turned the ribbon in her hand.

The New Yorker

She was holding something in her hand.

The New Yorker

The glass in her hand flares.

The New Yorker

She rolled something in her hand.

The New Yorker

He put the bill in her hand.

The New York Times

The phone is in her hand.

The New Yorker

The phone was sweaty in her hand.

The New Yorker

She held the room in her hand".

The Guardian

In her hand was a yellow flower.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in her hand" to clearly indicate that someone is holding something, especially when the manner of holding or the specific object is relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "in her hand" when you intend to convey ownership rather than physical location. If you mean she owns it, use "her" or "hers" instead. "The responsibility is in her hand" is incorrect if you mean she has ownership over the responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in her hand" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the location or manner in which something is held. Ludwig provides many examples demonstrating its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in her hand" is a grammatically sound and very common prepositional phrase used to denote that something is being held by a person. According to Ludwig, it’s widely found in news and media, conveying neutral and descriptive information. Pay attention to the context to ensure you're accurately describing the physical state rather than implying ownership. Also, be mindful of nuances and use other related phrases like "within her grasp" or "held by her" to better suit the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carried in her hand

Focuses on the action of transporting something.

held by her

This is a passive construction emphasizing the act of holding.

in her grip

Highlights the firmness and control of the hold.

gripped in her hand

Similar to "in her grip", but emphasizes the action more.

within her grasp

This alternative emphasizes control and possession, rather than just location.

clasped in her hand

Emphasizes a tighter, more secure hold.

in her possession

Focuses on ownership, implying the item is being held or carried.

on her palm

Indicates the item is resting on the open hand.

palmed by her

Describes something concealed or manipulated in the hand.

between her fingers

Specifies a different kind of hold, less secure.

FAQs

How can I use "in her hand" in a sentence?

Use "in her hand" to describe something being physically held by someone, like, "She had a flower "in her hand"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in her hand"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "within her grasp", "held by her", or "in her possession".

Is it correct to say "the decision is in her hand"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "the decision is in her hands" to emphasize that she has control or responsibility.

What's the difference between "in her hand" and "on her hand"?

"In her hand" implies something is being held, while "on her hand" suggests something is resting on the open palm or surface of her hand.