kept on hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is readily available or stored for immediate use. Example: "We always have extra supplies kept on hand in case of emergencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Why, yes, I do, darling," she would say, handing out a bottle of the mustard she actually kept on hand.

The New York Times

'The testimony shows that of the mass of goods kept on hand in Memphis, in the above-mentioned warehouses, about 90percentnt ultimately goes to jobbers who reside outside of Memphis, and beyond the limits of this state.

Cornell University

The remaining 10percentnt goes to the Memphis jobbers in fulfilment of the general contracts previously referred to, pursuant to specifications thereunder made, and under specifications made without previous written contracts, the latter covering about 2 1/2 per cent of all the goods kept on hand.

Cornell University

The implants, which have a textured or slightly roughened surface, rather than a smooth covering, cannot be manufactured or sold in Europe for the time being, and the ones kept on hand at health centers are being recalled.

The New York Times - Health

For most of her adult life, she was beset by frenzied jealousies and imaginary illnesses leading to wildly dramatic deathbed scenes; nurses — eventually, psychiatric ones — were kept on hand to deal with her.

The New Yorker

They ­recount many details of the ex-governor's eccentricities, including his Elvis obsession and his helmetlike coif, which he would groom with one of nearly a dozen hairbrushes his staff kept on hand.

The New York Times - Books

This doesn't mean that a toothbrush must be kept on hand at all times, but flossing and even cleansing one's palette with water after a meal can get rid of food build-up and those extra lingering sugars that tend to stick around in the mouth.

Huffington Post

Foster is one of a small group of "emergency backup" goaltenders who are kept on hand, usually in the press box or the stands, in the highly unlikely event both regular goalies on the roster are hurt or otherwise unavailable.

The Washington Post

Light tanks are kept on hand for training purposes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Combined with a heat wave, these conditions nearly caused the actors to pass out and nurses had to be kept on-hand with oxygen tanks.

Wikipedia

Spare equipment will be kept on-hand for quick substitution if needed.

Bplans

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept on hand" to clearly indicate that certain items, resources, or personnel are maintained for immediate use or availability. For example, "The company kept extra servers on hand to handle unexpected traffic spikes."

Common error

Avoid using "kept on hand" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "maintained", "reserved", or "available" to enhance the tone and precision of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept on hand" functions as a modifier to describe something that is readily available or stored for immediate use. Ludwig provides numerous examples, confirming its role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept on hand" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is readily available for immediate use. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. While it maintains a neutral register, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "maintained" or "reserved" in highly formal settings. The key is to ensure clarity and precision in conveying the idea of preparedness. Remember that while numerous examples are showing different contexts of use, in the field of accounting, this expression has a technical nuance and refers to cash on hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

readily available

Emphasizes ease of access and immediate usability.

at the ready

Implies a state of preparedness and availability for immediate action.

on standby

Suggests something is prepared and waiting for immediate activation or use.

available

This alternative is more general and refers to something ready for use without necessarily being stored.

in reserve

Refers to something being held back as a backup or for future use.

in stock

Specifically refers to items available for sale or use within a business or retail context.

stored

A general term for keeping something in a specific location for later use.

retained

This refers to keeping something instead of returning or losing it.

preserved

Kept in its original condition, unchanged.

accumulated

This alternative is when you have increased the quantity of something over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept on hand" to describe items or resources that are readily available. For example, "The hospital "kept on hand" a supply of emergency medications".

What's a good substitute for "kept on hand"?

Alternatives include "readily available", "in reserve", or "available". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "maintained" instead of "kept on hand"?

Yes, "maintained" generally carries a more formal tone than "kept on hand". Using "maintained" can be more appropriate for professional or academic writing where a higher level of formality is desired.

What's the difference between "kept on hand" and "stored"?

"Kept on hand" implies that something is not only stored but also easily accessible for immediate use. "Stored" ("stored") simply means that something is placed in a location for safekeeping, without necessarily implying ease of access.