our hands

USAGE SUMMARY

"our hands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more people, such as in the sentence "We clasped our hands together in celebration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our hands".

The New York Times - Science

Wring our hands.

Independent

Our hands are tied.

The New Yorker

Our hands empty except for our hands.

The New Yorker

He even shook our hands.

The Guardian

It's not in our hands.

Independent

That's out of our hands.

Independent

Keep our hands strictly off.

The New Yorker

We'll have our hands full".

Independent

They shook our hands.

The Guardian - Sport

Put our hands up?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating shared effort or collaboration, "our hands" can effectively convey collective action. Example: "We built this company with our hands".

Common error

Avoid using "our hands" when the action or attribute isn't directly related to physical hands. For example, avoid saying "Our hands are tied by budget constraints" when a more accurate phrase would be "We are constrained by budget limitations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our hands" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "our" is a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "hands". It is used to indicate possession, agency, or direct involvement by a group. As Ludwig AI's examples show, this phrase appears frequently in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "our hands" is a common and versatile expression used to denote possession, responsibility, or control. Grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, it signifies direct involvement by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, demonstrating its presence in news, academic, and general media. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to ensure that the intended meaning aligns with actual physical involvement or direct agency, avoiding its misuse in contexts where the link to hands is metaphorical or tenuous. Its semantic alternatives range from "our grasp" to "within our power", each offering subtly different nuances of possession and agency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our grasp

Focuses on the act of holding or controlling something.

within our power

Emphasizes the ability to do something, implying control and agency.

in our control

Highlights the state of being managed or influenced by us.

in our possession

Stresses ownership or holding of something tangible or intangible.

at our fingertips

Suggests easy access to information or resources.

by our efforts

Focuses on actions and dedication to achieve a specific purpose.

through our actions

Emphasizes the impact of what we do.

under our guidance

Highlights the act of directing or leading.

through our intervention

Focuses on interceding or getting actively involved.

in our stewardship

Implies a responsibility to manage or care for something.

FAQs

How can I use "our hands" in a sentence?

You can use "our hands" to refer to something being directly controlled or influenced by a group of people. For example, "The future of this company is in "our hands"" implies that a group has the power to decide what happens next.

What's the difference between "our hands" and "our responsibility"?

"Our hands" often implies direct involvement or control, while "our responsibility" simply indicates an obligation or duty. Saying "It's in "our hands"" suggests we are actively shaping the outcome, whereas "It's our responsibility" suggests we are accountable for it.

When is it appropriate to say "our hands are tied"?

It is appropriate to say "our hands are tied" when you are unable to take action or make a decision because of a restriction or limitation. It suggests a lack of agency despite a desire to act.

What phrases are similar to "in our hands"?

Alternatives to "in our hands" include phrases like "within "our power"", "in "our control"", or "our responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.