keep on hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep on hand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that you want to have regularly available. For example, you could say, "I always keep a few cans of soup on hand in case I get hungry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We often advise our clients to think of this the way they would a piece of jewelry, birth certificate or cash you might keep on hand.

Forbes

Usually, I forgo the tonkatsu sauce at home since it is not currently one of the approximately 637 condiments I keep on hand.

The New York Times - Food

Frozen vegetables may not be quite as good as fresh ones, but you may find that they are easier to keep on hand than fresh.

WikiHow

What do you keep on hand at your studio?

The New York Times

Which spices are essential to keep on hand?

The Washington Post

Keep on hand the contact information of those who can help you through a suicidal episode.

University of California, Berkeley

This is a convenient grain to keep on hand in the pantry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Dried shrimp soaked for 10 minutes in boiling water is as good--and easier to keep on hand--as fresh shrimp.

Los Angeles Times

Visit a restaurant supply store for a supply to keep on-hand.

WikiHow

Just because there's no alcohol doesn't mean your guests must be limited to sodas and bottled water, though these are good choices to keep on-hand.

WikiHow

Some companies require a minimum amount of product you must keep on-hand for your customers and/or require an "auto-ship".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For variety, consider synonyms like "have available" or "maintain a supply of" to avoid repetition.

Common error

While "keep on hand" is acceptable in most contexts, overuse can make writing sound repetitive or informal. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs to improve clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on hand" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of maintaining something readily available for immediate use. It suggests a proactive approach to preparedness, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Keep on hand" is a common and grammatically sound phrase that means to maintain a readily available supply of something. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in news articles, wikis, and various other contexts to advise or inform about preparedness. While generally neutral in tone, it may be less suitable for highly formal or academic writing, where more precise vocabulary may be preferred. When using "keep on hand", it is important to consider synonyms like "have available" or "maintain a supply of" for variety. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and can be confidently used in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have available

Focuses on the simple act of availability, omitting the "keeping" aspect.

maintain a supply of

Emphasizes a continuous and managed stock.

keep in stock

Similar to "maintain a supply of", suggesting the items are for selling.

store for future use

Highlights the storage aspect with an explicit intent for later use.

have in reserve

Implies setting something aside specifically for when it's needed.

retain for emergencies

Explicitly states a purpose for keeping something available.

stock up on

Suggests actively accumulating a quantity of something.

save for later

Very general, referring to setting aside for future consumption.

arsenal of

Suggests a large, typically specialized, quantity of something.

have access to

Implies that a person has an opportunity or permission to use something.

FAQs

How can I use "keep on hand" in a sentence?

Use "keep on hand" to describe maintaining a supply of something readily available. For example, "It's wise to keep extra batteries on hand in case of a power outage."

What are some alternatives to "keep on hand"?

You can use alternatives like "have available", "maintain a supply of", or "store for future use" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "keep on hand"?

While generally correct, "keep on hand" might be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise or sophisticated vocabulary in those situations.

What's the difference between "keep on hand" and "have in stock"?

"Keep on hand" implies personal or immediate availability, while "have in stock" usually refers to a business maintaining items for sale. For example, "I keep pain relievers on hand" versus "The store has those shoes in stock".