large number of hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large number of hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant quantity of people who are available to help or participate in a task or activity. Example: "During the community event, we had a large number of hands helping to set up the venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A large number of hands were raised.

The Guardian - Books

Our best hope, as this strange and messy year of decisions ends, is that the people who have won will always remember the large number of hands that were waving on the other side.

The New York Times

"We have a large number of hands to work and, we have even larger number of dreams to be realised," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There were a large number of hand burns and also scalp burns.

Independent

Despite the large number of hand-pumped tubewells in both study areas, groundwater withdrawals are likely to be dominated by mechanized pumping [5, 21].

Geochemical Transactions

His contribution to "Mock the Vote" consists of an a large number of hand-painted signs that adorn his studio as we talked: "Kill the Poor/ Protect the Oligarchy/ Vote," "Fight Oppression/ Rape Men," and "Pro-Incest," to name a few.

Vice

A large number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks was reported during 2008 in China.

BMC Public Health

The outbreak was recognized because of a large number of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases and the rapid deaths of children with the disease.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This must have facilitated the development of the early factory labour force by providing large numbers of hands who would be subject to workplace discipline without the oversight of parents, and who could be formed into 'early adopters' of technology, to use the modern phrase.

Economic History Review

Drivers who engaged in a large number of hands-free interactions are found to select lower driving speed.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

The company was unable to take Hill 99 from the well dug-in North Koreans who threw large numbers of hand grenades to repel all efforts to reach the top.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "large number of hands", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to people available to help or work on something, rather than literal hands. For clarity, consider rephrasing if there is potential for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "large number of hands" in contexts where the literal meaning of 'hands' could be confusing. If the context doesn't immediately make it clear you're referring to people available for work or assistance, opt for more explicit phrasing like "many helpers" or "ample workforce" to prevent misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large number of hands" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object within a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it refers to a significant quantity of people available for work or assistance. It's generally used to emphasize the availability of manpower.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "large number of hands" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a significant availability of human resources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure context clarifies the intended meaning, avoiding literal interpretations. Alternatives like "many helpers" or "ample workforce" may offer greater clarity in certain situations. It's most commonly found in News & Media, and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the audience understands the figurative meaning of available helpers, rather than physical hands.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many helpers

This alternative is more concise and focuses directly on the individuals providing assistance.

ample workforce

This emphasizes the availability of a sufficient number of workers.

sufficient manpower

This highlights the availability of adequate human resources to accomplish a task.

plenty of assistants

This alternative focuses on the abundance of individuals ready to assist.

numerous contributors

This is appropriate when referring to a group of people adding to a project or effort.

a wealth of volunteers

This emphasizes the large number of people offering their services without pay.

an abundance of personnel

This option uses more formal language to describe a large number of available staff.

a significant contingent

This is useful when describing a notable group of people participating in something.

considerable staff

This highlights that the staff is important and noteworthy

a host of participants

This alternative is more suitable for describing those involved in an event or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "large number of hands" in a sentence?

You can use "large number of hands" to describe a situation where many people are available to assist. For example, "A "large number of hands" were raised when the author asked for volunteers."

What are some alternatives to "large number of hands"?

Some alternatives include "many helpers", "ample workforce", or "sufficient manpower" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "large number of hands" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "large number of hands" might sound less formal. Consider alternatives like "an abundance of personnel" or "a significant contingent" for a more professional tone.

When should I avoid using the phrase "large number of hands"?

Avoid using it when there's a risk of literal interpretation or confusion, especially in contexts where you're not explicitly referring to people ready to help. In such cases, use more direct phrases like "many people" or "a great deal of assistance".