primarily in the hands of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily in the hands of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is mainly controlled or managed by a specific group or individual. Example: "The decision-making process is primarily in the hands of the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The ownership of the economy is still primarily in the hands of white males as it has always been".

The Guardian

Pain treatment belongs primarily in the hands of ordinary physicians, most of whom know little about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Local government in both rural and urban regions is primarily in the hands of popularly elected executives and councils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The ownership of the economy is still primarily in the hands of white males, as it has always been".

The New York Times

The detail of planning employment services, and more recently probation services, is now primarily in the hands of large "prime providers".

The Guardian

"The ownership of the economy is still primarily in the hands of white males, as it has always been," Mr. Zuma said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

When the Bush administration failed to get immigration reform passed in 2007, the defeat was primarily at the hands of the Republican right, but there were other elements, including some labor unions, who turned against the initiative and helped defeat.

The New Yorker

The most immediate are the devices -- primarily smartphones -- now in the hands of hundreds of millions of people.

Huffington Post

One in three German women experience violence, primarily at the hands of their male German counterparts.

Huffington Post

Our clients have been raped, sold, beaten, starved and mutilated – primarily at the hands of a family member, or in some cases, multiple family members.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mass of new data rests primarily in the proprietary hands of large entities like insurance companies and care providers.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily in the hands of", ensure that it's followed by a clear and specific group or entity. For instance, instead of saying 'The project is primarily in the hands of management', specify 'The project is primarily in the hands of the senior management team'.

Common error

Ensure the subject using the phrase "primarily in the hands of" is clearly defined and understood by your audience. Vague references can lead to confusion about responsibility and decision-making authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily in the hands of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating who or what is mainly responsible for or in control of something. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase attributing control or responsibility in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primarily in the hands of" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates where the main responsibility, control, or power lies. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always specify who or what holds the primary control. Alternatives include "chiefly under the control of" and "mainly the responsibility of", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chiefly under the control of

Replaces 'primarily' with 'chiefly' and rephrases 'in the hands of' with 'under the control of', emphasizing control.

mainly the responsibility of

Substitutes 'primarily in the hands of' with 'mainly the responsibility of', focusing on accountability.

largely governed by

Replaces 'primarily in the hands of' with 'largely governed by', highlighting governance or regulation.

principally managed by

Uses 'principally' instead of 'primarily' and 'managed by' in place of 'in the hands of', emphasizing management.

predominantly handled by

Replaces 'primarily' with 'predominantly' and 'in the hands of' with 'handled by', focusing on handling or execution.

mostly supervised by

Substitutes 'primarily in the hands of' with 'mostly supervised by', emphasizing supervision.

essentially determined by

Replaces 'primarily in the hands of' with 'essentially determined by', focusing on the determining factor.

primarily reliant on

Changes the focus to reliance or dependence, instead of direct control.

the chief domain of

Focuses on the area or sphere of influence, rather than direct control.

largely influenced by

Shifts the meaning to influence, suggesting a less direct form of control.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily in the hands of" in a sentence?

Use "primarily in the hands of" to indicate that a specific group or individual has the main responsibility or control over something. For example, "The project's success is primarily in the hands of the development team".

What are some alternatives to "primarily in the hands of"?

You can use alternatives like "chiefly under the control of", "mainly the responsibility of", or "largely governed by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primarily in the hand of" (singular) instead of "primarily in the hands of" (plural)?

No, "primarily in the hand of" is incorrect when referring to a group or entity, as 'hands' suggests agency and control. Use 'hand' when referring to a single person or entity.

What's the difference between "primarily in the hands of" and "influenced by"?

"Primarily in the hands of" suggests direct control or responsibility, while "influenced by" indicates a more indirect effect. Something that is "primarily in the hands of" someone is controlled by them, while something "influenced by" them is merely affected by their actions.