resides in the hands of

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

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

Often the number of posts is too few to benefit the whole group, and economic control still resides in the hands of a small elite, who are unlikely to share their riches with people from a different ethnic group.

The Guardian

Power resides in the hands of a company named Avalon, whose billboards, advertising a mixture of comfort and threat ("We're on your side, for life"), loom over the frightened city.

The New Yorker

This also means that Los Angeles's best hope for a championship right now resides in the hands of the hockey-playing Kings, who have soared to a 3-0 lead in their Western Conference finals series against Phoenix.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 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

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

At that time, a chorus of journalism church ladies (I was among them) warned that one of the crown jewels of American journalism now resided in the hands of a roughneck, and predicted that he would use it to his own ends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "resides in the hands of", ensure the subject performing the action is clearly defined. Ambiguity can arise if it's unclear who or what "the hands" belong to.

Common error

Avoid using "resides in the hands of" when the responsibility is shared or distributed. It's more appropriate when a single entity or defined group holds the primary authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resides in the hands of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate where power, control, or responsibility is located. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to show that something is under someone's control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "resides in the hands of" is a grammatically sound and reasonably common expression used to denote control, responsibility, or authority resting with a particular individual or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and understandable in English. While suitable for news, professional and scientific contexts, it should be used cautiously in informal settings. Remember, the goal is to clearly communicate where the power or responsibility lies in any given scenario. Also, avoid misattributing responsibility when the action is shared or distributed. The phrase may not be appropriate when a single entity or defined group doesn't hold the primary authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rests with

More concise, emphasizing placement of responsibility.

lies in the control of

Focuses on control rather than inherent power.

is the responsibility of

Directly states accountability.

is governed by

Emphasizes a system of rules and authority.

is vested in

Highlights legally or formally conferred power.

is entrusted to

Emphasizes confidence and delegation.

is under the jurisdiction of

Highlights legal authority and control.

is wielded by

Suggests active exercise of power.

is subject to the authority of

Highlights subjection to power.

is dictated by

Indicates a forceful control.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "resides in the hands of" someone?

It means that the power, control, or responsibility for something is held by that person or group.

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

You can use it to indicate where the authority or control for a particular situation lies. For example, "The fate of the company "lies in the hands of" the CEO."

What are some alternatives to saying something "resides in the hands of" someone?

Alternatives include "is controlled by", "is the responsibility of", or "rests with".

Is it better to say "resides in the hands of" or ""lies in the hands of""?

Both phrases are acceptable and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.