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

is in the hands of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is in the hands of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has control or responsibility over a situation or decision. Example: "The future of the project is in the hands of the management team, who will decide the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Everything is in the hands of God.

His Scientific Autobiography is in the hands of the NAS.

Payle's unpublished report is in the hands of Day's solicitor.

News & Media

The Guardian

World peace is in the hands of the N.K.V.D.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Your destiny is in the hands of other people.

News & Media

The New York Times

The rest is in the hands of private shareholders.

News & Media

The Economist

"My fate is in the hands of God, not America".

News & Media

The New York Times

The matter is in the hands of our lawyers".

News & Media

Independent

"All power is in the hands of the executive.

News & Media

The New York Times

The group's fate is in the hands of creditors.

News & Media

The Economist

Providing gold OA is in the hands of publishers while green OA is in the hands of researchers.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is in the hands of" to clearly indicate who has control or responsibility for a specific situation or outcome. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is in the hands of" when the entity mentioned only has influence but lacks direct control. This can mislead the reader about the true source of power or decision-making.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is in the hands of" functions as a predicate indicating who or what has control, responsibility, or influence over a situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is in the hands of" is a versatile and commonly used expression that effectively conveys where control or responsibility lies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's also present in academic and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the entity you attribute control to truly possesses it, and be mindful of alternative expressions like "is under the control of" or "lies with" for nuanced meanings.

FAQs

How can I use "is in the hands of" in a sentence?

Use "is in the hands of" to show who is responsible for something. For example, "The final decision "is in the hands of the director"".

What phrases are similar to "is in the hands of"?

Similar phrases include "is under the control of", "is the responsibility of", or "lies with".

Is it correct to say "is on the hands of" instead of "is in the hands of"?

No, the correct phrase is "is in the hands of". "Is on the hands of" is not a standard English idiom and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "is in the hands of" and "depends on"?

"Is in the hands of" implies control or responsibility, whereas "depends on" suggests that something is contingent on external factors or circumstances. For example, "The project's success "is in the hands of the team"" means the team controls the outcome, while "The project's success "depends on funding"" means funding is a necessary condition.

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

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: