join hands

USAGE SUMMARY

"join hands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It indicates two people, or a group of people, coming together in agreement or solidarity. For example, "Let's join hands to show our support for the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

join hands. . .

The Washington Post

They don't even join hands.

The New Yorker

The superpowers also failed to join hands on atomic energy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Brecht's poems, the oppressed join hands and march together.

The New Yorker

In this one poised man, erudition and eloquence join hands.

The New York Times

They all join hands for some bland May-time frolics.

The Guardian

"Now is the time to join hands," he said.

The Guardian

'I shouted to the people to join hands.

The Guardian

"Let us join hands, one with the other," Cuomo said.

The New Yorker

Held apart by the men, the two women join hands.

The New York Times

Kühnel's wife, Berta, began by asking everyone to join hands.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "join hands" when you want to evoke a sense of unity, cooperation, or shared purpose, especially in situations where people need to work together to overcome challenges or achieve common goals.

Common error

While "join hands" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound too informal or sentimental in highly professional or academic settings. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "collaborate" or "cooperate" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "join hands" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used figuratively to describe collaborative action or agreement. Ludwig AI shows it frequently appears in sentences expressing a desire for unity and cooperation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

18%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "join hands" is a common and generally accepted way to express unity and cooperation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it’s advisable to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "collaborate" or "cooperate" when necessary. Remember to use it when you want to foster a sense of shared purpose and collaborative effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unite together

This alternative emphasizes the act of becoming one for a shared purpose, highlighting a strong sense of solidarity.

collaborate effectively

This option focuses on the efficiency and positive results of working together, pointing to a practical outcome.

cooperate fully

This choice stresses the comprehensive and thorough nature of the cooperative effort.

work in partnership

This variation highlights a formal agreement or alliance to achieve common goals.

combine forces

This option conveys the idea of merging strengths and resources for a joint endeavor.

act in unison

This phrase underscores acting with perfect agreement and harmony.

come together

This is a more general phrase that means to meet or gather, often implying a sense of unity.

pull together

This option emphasizes shared effort and mutual support to overcome a challenge.

align efforts

This choice emphasizes synchronizing actions towards a common objective.

forge alliances

This implies creating strategic relationships for mutual benefit and support.

FAQs

How can I use "join hands" in a sentence?

You can use "join hands" to describe people working together, for example: "Let's "join hands" to solve this problem" or "The countries may be ready to "join hands" on a major space mission".

What are some alternatives to "join hands"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unite together", "collaborate effectively", or "cooperate fully".

Is "join hands" formal or informal?

"Join hands" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal phrase. In very formal contexts, using "collaborate" or "cooperate" might be more appropriate.

What does it mean to "join hands" with someone?

To "join hands" with someone means to work together towards a common goal, indicating a sense of unity, agreement, and mutual support. It implies a collaborative effort.