substantial hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial hands" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in contexts discussing physical attributes, skills, or capabilities, but it would require additional clarification to convey a specific meaning. Example: "The artist's substantial hands allowed him to create intricate sculptures with ease."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

MEIN TAGEBUCH, 1998-2000 (MY DIARY .By Helmut Kohl.Droemer; 352 pages; DM44.90AS THE jacket of this book showing the author's substantial hands on a near-empty appointments diary makes clear, this is not a genuine journal, as the title suggests, but rather a highly subjective re-telling of events by an embittered, vengeful, vainglorious old man.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

With your additions of choice, a simple flatbread can become a quite substantial hand-held "dish".

The New York Times

House Democrats will caucus Tuesday in a session that is expected to include substantial hand-wringing over their midterm election losses and tense discussions over the bid by the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, to remain as Democratic leader in the next Congress.

The New York Times

From a young age, he exhibited the substantial hand strength required for finger billiards.

Wikipedia

The tune is nominated for Song of the Year at this year's Grammy Awards and played a substantial hand in establishing Smith's solo career.

Vice

None of the patients exhibited a substantial hand or arm tremor during testing.

Plosone

Ulnar nerve compression causes less compromise to the ulnar nerve, but also results in substantial hand impairments [ 11].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

20 Likewise, Pickering and colleagues 36 discovered that Tanzanian women had substantial hand recontamination following observed typical household activities, suggesting that environmental contamination with feces was pervasive.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Some U.S. officials believe Afghan forces will require substantial, hands-on support from foreign troops, in addition to help from the United States.

Huffington Post

Emboldened by his reviews on the Stump, he found himself longing for something more substantial: a hand in the creative process, a writing part, to complement his acting career.

The New Yorker

"Now, with this unexpected act of God, those same communities, quite ready to point a finger at government shortcomings, are placed in the difficult position of having to reach out to government for a substantial helping hand," said Paula A. Franzese, a law professor at Seton Hall University who has written extensively about gated communities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial hands", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to physical strength, skill, or influence. Otherwise, use more explicit adjectives like "strong", "skilled", or "influential".

Common error

Avoid using "substantial hands" when a more precise adjective would better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "substantial hands in the creative process", consider "significant role" or "major involvement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial hands" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "hands". It is used to describe the characteristic of someone's hands, often implying strength, size, or capability. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase isn't particularly common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial hands" is a phrase used to describe hands, often implying strength, size, skill or influence. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes that it is not a commonly used phrase and can benefit from more explicit descriptors for clarity. Its usage spans across news, scientific articles, and general writing, but is not overly prevalent in formal or academic contexts. Alternatives like "capable hands" or "strong hands" may offer clearer and more precise communication depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable hands

Focuses on the ability and skill of the hands, rather than their size or strength.

strong hands

Emphasizes the physical strength of the hands.

powerful hands

Highlights the force and control exerted by the hands.

skilled hands

Highlights expertise and dexterity in using the hands.

experienced hands

Suggests a history of using the hands skillfully over time.

large hands

Refers to the physical size of the hands.

influential hands

Indicates that the hands have a significant impact or control.

robust hands

Highlights the hands' resilience and health.

deft hands

Emphasizes skill and quickness in the hands' movements.

competent hands

Highlights the hands' proficiency and ability to perform tasks effectively.

FAQs

What does "substantial hands" mean?

The phrase "substantial hands" can refer to physically large or strong hands. It can also imply skillful or influential hands, depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "substantial hands"?

You can use alternatives like "capable hands", "strong hands", or "influential hands" depending on the context.

Is "substantial hands" a common phrase?

No, "substantial hands" is not a particularly common phrase. More specific alternatives like "strong hands" or "skilled hands" are generally preferred for clarity.

How to use "substantial hands" in a sentence?

Example: "The artist's "substantial hands" allowed him to create intricate sculptures with ease." Ensure the context makes it clear whether you are referring to physical strength, skill, or influence.