on this hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on this hand" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "on one hand." You can use it when presenting one side of an argument or situation, typically in contrast to "on the other hand." Example: "On one hand, the new policy could improve efficiency; on the other hand, it may lead to job losses."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Just as the fingers on this hand are one.

The New York Times - Arts

"We've lost the match on this hand," he responded.

The New York Times

"I asked them, 'What was your logic on this hand?' " he recalled later.

The New Yorker

On this hand, structural response in damaged state only is not sufficient for such methods.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

His conclusions could hardly be more drastic: "The shark was most certainly attracted to the rings on this hand.

The Guardian - Books

Raising her hands to demonstrate a scale, she continued: "Every time Walmart gives me a 50-cent raise on this hand, on the other hand they take it away a different way.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Over the decades there had been much criticism of NIEs by policymakers -- and presidents -- because the authors hedge and the "on-this-hand, on-the-other-hand" reports are littered with maddening qualifications.

The Washington Post

Place your other hand on top of this hand.

Harvard University

[phone] www.crateandbarrel.com SOUP'S ON -- This hand-painted soup tureen is made in Poland for Ceramika Artystyczna.

The New York Times

THE diamond pattern on this hand-carved rock crystal and white gold Power ring ($14,000) may look like a snowflake, but it actually represents the sun.

The New York Times

And when all you need is a little light and a little information about when the power is coming back on, this hand-powered radio will come in handy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend a literal interpretation, ensure the context clearly indicates the physical hand. Example: "The diamond pattern on this hand-carved rock crystal may look like a snowflake."

Common error

Avoid using "on this hand" when you mean "on one hand". The latter is the correct idiomatic expression to introduce one side of an argument or situation. Using "on this hand" might sound awkward or grammatically incorrect to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on this hand" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, but its grammatical correctness is disputed. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the correct idiomatic expression is "on one hand". The usage of "on this hand" is usually reserved for literal references.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on this hand" is generally considered incorrect in standard English when used to introduce one side of an argument. Ludwig AI points out that the correct idiomatic expression is "on one hand". While "on this hand" can be used literally to refer to something physically located on a specific hand, this usage is rare and should be clearly indicated by the context. Always prefer "on one hand" followed by "on the other hand" to present contrasting viewpoints in formal and informal writing. Be mindful of this distinction to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on one hand

Corrects the grammatical error, presenting one side of an argument.

in this instance

Replaces 'hand' with 'instance' shifting the focus to a specific occurrence or situation.

in this case

Replaces the physical aspect with the term 'case', referring to a specific set of circumstances.

regarding this matter

Substitutes the physical reference with a more abstract 'matter', indicating a topic or issue.

concerning this situation

Focuses on a specific 'situation' rather than a physical action or possession.

from this perspective

Shifts the focus to a viewpoint or 'perspective' rather than a physical action.

with this approach

Emphasizes a method or 'approach' being taken, rather than a literal hand.

using this method

Highlights the 'method' employed, moving away from the physical connotation of 'hand'.

through this avenue

Replaces with 'avenue', emphasizing a path or means to achieve something.

by this means

Indicates a method or way of doing something, abstracting from the literal 'hand'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "on this hand"?

The correct idiomatic expression is "on one hand", used to introduce one aspect of a situation or argument. "On this hand" is generally considered grammatically incorrect unless referring literally to a specific hand.

When can I use "on this hand" literally?

You can use "on this hand" when you are specifically referring to something located on a particular hand. For example, "The ring is on this hand, not the other."

What does it mean to say "on one hand"?

Saying "on one hand" introduces one side of an argument or consideration, often followed by "on the other hand" to present the contrasting viewpoint. It's used to show different perspectives on a topic.

Are there alternatives to saying "on one hand"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "from one perspective", "on one side", or "considering one aspect" depending on the specific context.