in the hand of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the hand of" is correct and is used in written English.
For example, you may use it to describe something held in possession by someone, like "the book was in the hand of the small child".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Note in the hand of M. Wodhull (f.

Yale University

No longer thought to be in the hand of Cosway.

Yale University

In the Hand of Dante By Nick Tosches.

The New York Times - Books

It was in the hand of Galileo Galilei.

The New York Times - Science

It's all in the hand of the beholder.

The New York Times

"The cards are in the hand of the brands.

The New York Times

Front flyleaf contains provenance annotation in pencil in the hand of Sir Thomas Phillipps.

Yale University

AD, in the hand of JJ, signed by JJ and Myles Cooper, NNC (EJ: 12960).

Columbia University

Recueil de divers ouvrages / in the hand of Jean-Francois Wiart. Jean-Francois Wiart

Yale University

Manuscript parts in the hand of an unidentified copyist, on paper watermarked 1807-1812.

Yale University

Manuscript parts in the hand of an unidentified copyist, on paper watermarked 1801-1804.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the authorship or creation of a work, use "in the hand of" to emphasize the personal and direct involvement of the author or creator. For example, "The manuscript was definitively in the hand of Shakespeare."

Common error

Avoid using "in the hand of" loosely when the authorship is uncertain or based on speculation. Ensure there's substantial evidence before attributing a work definitively to someone's "hand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the hand of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically indicates authorship, possession, or control, as demonstrated by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

65%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the hand of" is a versatile prepositional phrase signifying authorship, possession, or control. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in both academic and journalistic contexts. It is used to emphasize direct involvement or responsibility, as seen in numerous examples. When writing, use it to accurately attribute actions, creations, or ownership, but avoid misattributions without substantial evidence. Alternatives such as "under the control of" or "attributed to" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. Overall, "in the hand of" remains a valuable tool for precise and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the possession of

Focuses on ownership or holding something physically or legally.

held by

Focuses on the act of physically holding or possessing something.

under the control of

Indicates a state of being managed or directed by someone, emphasizing control rather than physical possession.

under the authority of

Implies being governed or influenced by someone's power or jurisdiction.

subject to the influence of

Highlights that someone is affected or swayed by another's impact or control.

created by

Used to indicate who is responsible for making or originating something.

attributed to

Highlights authorship or creation by someone, often used in the context of written works or artistic creations.

written by

Specifically refers to the authorship of a written document.

by the agency of

Suggests that something is done through the means or intervention of someone, emphasizing their role as an agent.

at the disposal of

Indicates that something is available for someone to use as they wish.

FAQs

How can I use "in the hand of" in a sentence?

The phrase "in the hand of" is typically used to indicate authorship, possession, or control. For example, "The original manuscript was in the hand of the author," or "The fate of the company is now in the hand of the new CEO."

What's the difference between "in the hand of" and "in the possession of"?

"In the hand of" often implies authorship or direct involvement, while "in the possession of" simply means that someone owns or holds something. You can use "The document is in the hand of the original writer" (authorship) or "The artifact is "in the possession of" the museum" (ownership).

Which is correct, "in the hand of" or "by the hand of"?

Both "in the hand of" and "by the hand of" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "In the hand of" emphasizes authorship or direct creation, while "by the hand of" often implies agency or action performed by someone.

When is it appropriate to use "in the hand of"?

Use "in the hand of" when you want to highlight that something was written, created, or directly influenced by a particular person. For instance, "The notes were in the hand of the famous composer," indicating the composer personally wrote the notes.