lots of hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number of people who are willing to help or participate in a task or activity. Example: "We need lots of hands to help set up for the event this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Lots of hands.

The New York Times

Shook lots of hands.

The New York Times

Lots of hands to shake there.

The Guardian

"Third deployment?" Still lots of hands are raised.

The New York Times

"How many people have been to the site?" Lots of hands shot up.

The New York Times - Arts

The assorted Congress and BJP politicians managed to mingle without obvious rancour Jairam Ramesh, a former minister, made a point of jovially shaking lots of hands.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Lots and lots of hand-wringing.

The Guardian - Sport

Some people need lots of hand-holding.

The New York Times

They were both using lots of hand sanitizer.

The New York Times

(Mainly with lots of hand wringing, defensiveness and meetings).

The New York Times - Arts

After all, the ban is a result of lots of hand-wringing about overweight Americans.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lots of hands" to describe assistance, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the help being provided. For example, specify if the hands are for physical labor, creative input, or financial contribution.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid using "lots of hands" as it may sound informal. Instead, use more precise language such as "a significant number of contributors" or "extensive support" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lots of hands" functions as a quantifier, indicating a large number of people involved or needed for a task. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it often describes situations where numerous individuals contribute to an activity or project. It highlights the collaborative nature of the effort.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lots of hands" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as a quantifier, typically indicating the need for substantial assistance or participation. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with some usage in Wiki and Formal & Business settings. While the Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as appropriate, it notes that more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain situations. When using "lots of hands", consider the context and audience to ensure the tone aligns with the intended message, and remember that it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many helpers

Focuses specifically on people providing assistance.

plenty of assistance

Highlights the abundance of help available.

ample support

Emphasizes the availability of support.

a good deal of aid

Emphasizes the quantity of help being offered.

a large number of participants

More formal and emphasizes the number of people involved.

a host of volunteers

Specifies that the people involved are offering their services freely.

numerous contributors

Highlights individuals who are actively contributing.

considerable manpower

Refers to the collective effort and workforce available.

a multitude of people

Indicates a very large and unspecified number of people.

several individuals

Less emphatic and more neutral regarding the number.

FAQs

How can I use "lots of hands" in a sentence?

You can use "lots of hands" to indicate a large number of people helping or participating in something. For example, "We needed "lots of hands" to prepare for the community event".

What are some alternatives to "lots of hands"?

Alternatives include "many helpers", "ample support", or "numerous contributors", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "lots of hands" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "significant assistance" or "a large workforce".

What does "lots of hands" imply about the task at hand?

"Lots of hands" typically implies that the task requires significant effort or many people to complete effectively. It suggests a collaborative effort involving numerous individuals.