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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
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is in the hands of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
Everything is in the hands of God.
Encyclopedias
His Scientific Autobiography is in the hands of the NAS.
Academia
Payle's unpublished report is in the hands of Day's solicitor.
News & Media
World peace is in the hands of the N.K.V.D.
News & Media
Your destiny is in the hands of other people.
News & Media
The rest is in the hands of private shareholders.
News & Media
"My fate is in the hands of God, not America".
News & Media
The matter is in the hands of our lawyers".
News & Media
"All power is in the hands of the executive.
News & Media
The group's fate is in the hands of creditors.
News & Media
Providing gold OA is in the hands of publishers while green OA is in the hands of researchers.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lies with
More concise, implying decision-making power or responsibility resides with someone.
rests with
Similar to 'lies with', but can also suggest a burden or obligation.
is under the control of
Emphasizes direct control rather than indirect influence or responsibility.
is up to
Highlights the discretionary power of an individual or group.
is the responsibility of
Highlights accountability, shifting focus from control to obligation.
is decided by
Specifically indicates that a decision will be made by the mentioned party.
is the domain of
Indicates an area of expertise or authority, rather than general control.
is governed by
Focuses on the act of governing or regulating, rather than just having control.
is managed by
Implies a more active and ongoing process of overseeing and directing.
is subject to
Shifts the emphasis to being affected by someone's decisions or control.
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.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested