need extra hands

USAGE SUMMARY

"need extra hands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when requesting help on a task or project. Example: I'm working on this project and I need extra hands to help me finish it on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was a while since we'd had a whole town house and the tight schedule meant we'd need extra hands - the usual unemployed sons, brothers, cousins, dragged away from their beds and daytime soaps for cash in hand.

The Guardian - Books

Takeaway: A community helps launch your campaign strongly, but you might need extra hands to support it.

TechCrunch

In addition, because farmers always need extra hands to help in the field, they did not completely comply with the government's two-children per couple policy.

BMC Women's Health

Some cities have filmmaker meet up groups that help connect you with people who can answer your questions and put you in contact with people who need extra hands on set.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He fell into it in May, when a relative needed extra hands to help in his smuggling network.

The Guardian

In the children's services department of Swindon council, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is helping to reduce the average social worker caseload and identifying where the department needs extra hands on deck.

The Guardian

The I.O.C. is not going to monitor the latter-day Les Misérables, who commit a minor crime and are sent to labor camps because China needs extra hands in the fields.

The New York Times - Sports

We launched a free personal stylist based on input from women needing extra hand-holding in finding the right fit and style.

Huffington Post

The retail sector opens up large numbers of extra roles to cope with demand and even the grimiest pubs and bars need extra pairs of hands during what is their busiest time of year.

The Guardian

And an exemption would be made for children helping their families outside school time, justified by the government as balancing the right to education with a recognition that parents need extra pairs of hands to make ends meet.

Independent

You'll need extra thick gloves to protect your hands.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting assistance, be specific about the task and the type of help needed. Instead of just saying "I need extra hands", try "I need extra hands to help with sorting the data entries."

Common error

While "need extra hands" is generally acceptable, it can sound informal in professional settings. For official communications, consider using phrases like "require additional assistance" or "require more personnel."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need extra hands" functions primarily as a request for assistance. It signifies a situation where additional personnel or support is required to accomplish a task or manage a workload. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need extra hands" is a common way to express the requirement for additional assistance or personnel, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and versatile, it's best used in neutral or slightly informal contexts. For professional settings, alternatives like "require additional assistance" may be more suitable. Ludwig's examples show usage across various domains, including news, wikis, and science, indicating its broad applicability. Remembering to specify the task when asking for help will make your request more efficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

need some help

A simpler, more direct way to express the need for assistance.

need support

Highlights the requirement for assistance or backing.

require additional assistance

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the need for help.

could use some assistance

A polite way of saying that help is needed.

could use a hand

Employs a more informal and idiomatic expression for needing help.

need backup

Implies a need for assistance in a potentially challenging situation.

require additional personnel

Focuses on the need for more people to complete a task.

require more manpower

Emphasizes the necessity for more physical labor or workforce.

require reinforcement

Suggests the need to strengthen or bolster existing resources.

need more resources

Broadly refers to the requirement for additional tools or materials.

FAQs

How can I use "need extra hands" in a sentence?

You can use "need extra hands" when you require assistance with a task or project. For example: "We're organizing a charity event and "need extra hands" to help with the setup."

What are some alternative ways to say "need extra hands"?

You can use alternatives such as "require additional assistance", "could use a hand", or "need support" depending on the context.

Is "need extra hands" appropriate for formal communication?

While acceptable, "need extra hands" may sound informal in professional contexts. Opt for phrases like "require additional personnel" or "require additional assistance" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "need extra hands" and "need help"?

"Need help" is a more general request for assistance. "Need extra hands" specifically implies a requirement for more people to perform a task. For example, if you are moving furniture, you likely "need extra hands"; if you are struggling with a concept, you may just need help.