reside in the hands of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reside in the hands of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is under the control or influence of someone or something. Example: "The future of the project now resides in the hands of the new management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The pending changes are momentous, as the power over both entertainment and news will reside in the hands of a few companies.

The New York Times

Instead, they will reside in the hands of institutions or inventors from abroad, or the commercial sponsors of the research, who will not necessarily have the public interest at heart.

The New York Times

Without independents, decisions about what books to put on store shelves would reside in the hands of a few corporate executives rather than hundreds of idiosyncratic booksellers, he said.

The New York Times - Books

"You can be somebody who, for very legitimate reasons, worries about the power of the federal government — that it's distant, that it's bureaucratic, that it's not accountable — and as a consequence you think that more power should reside in the hands of state governments.

The New Yorker

It is ironic, given the murky past of France in Rwandan affairs – and France was the staunchest of allies to the Hutu regime in Kigali – that the truth of the assassination seems to now reside in the hands of French lawyers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The regional premiere – co-produced by Nottingham and Salisbury Playhouse – comes at a point when the makeup of the next administration is anyone's guess; yet the play suggests that real power will always reside in the hands of people with enough spare change to be sick down the front of a £4,000 tailcoat.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Balance of power resides in the hands of Clive Frederick Palmer.

The Guardian

Manager Joe Torre said last weekend that opportunity resides in the hands of Ledee, and now it is up to Ledee.

The New York Times - Sports

That the fate of a Brooklyn institution now resides in the hands of two newcomers is lost on no one.

The New York Times - Arts

Because of his youth, real power resided in the hands of the former emperor Shirakawa and Antoku's grandfather, the renowned warrior Taira Kiyomori.

Britannica

Former party leader Michael Howard said the amendment "would be to confer upon parliament a negotiation power which has always resided in the hands of the executive in our country".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reside in the hands of" to clearly indicate where decision-making power or responsibility is located. This phrase is particularly effective when discussing abstract concepts like power, control, or fate.

Common error

While "reside in the hands of" is generally acceptable, it might sound overly formal in very casual contexts. Choose simpler alternatives like "is up to" or "depends on" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reside in the hands of" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating where power, responsibility, or control is located. As per Ludwig's analysis, this is generally considered grammatically correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reside in the hands of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate where control or responsibility is located. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedia and science contexts, and is generally considered to have a neutral to formal register. While effective for emphasizing authority, consider simpler alternatives like "rest with" or "lie with" for more casual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rest with

Focuses on where the power or authority ultimately lies.

lie with

Similar to 'rest with', emphasizing the location of responsibility.

be the responsibility of

Directly states who is accountable for something.

be under the control of

Highlights the aspect of being managed or directed by.

be governed by

Emphasizes the rules or principles that guide something.

be in the power of

Highlights the ability to influence or command.

be subject to

Indicates dependence on someone or something's authority.

fall under the jurisdiction of

Specifically refers to legal or official authority.

be the domain of

Indicates a sphere of influence or activity.

be at the mercy of

Implies a lack of control and vulnerability.

FAQs

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

Use "reside in the hands of" to show that control or authority is held by a specific person or group. For example, "The fate of the company now "resides in the hands of" the new CEO."

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

Alternatives include "rest with", "lie with", or "be the responsibility of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "resides in the hand of" instead of "reside in the hands of"?

The phrase is "reside in the hands of". Using "hand" instead of "hands" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

When is it appropriate to use "reside in the hands of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that power, control, or responsibility is specifically held by someone or a group. It is often used in formal or serious contexts.