the text at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"the text at hand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the specific written material or text that is currently being discussed or analyzed. Example: "In order to understand the author's intended message, it is important to closely examine the text at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This elegant work is a mordantly entertaining reflection on the uses of literature and imagination; alert readers may be inspired to apply its lessons to the text at hand.

The New Yorker

By cueing the actors live, Fish keeps them jazzed up and on point, but their efforts take place in a void: there's no inherent reason for the piece to be structured in this way; it has less to do with the nature of the text at hand than with what LeCompte and Foreman have done onstage with other texts.

The New Yorker

This will permit one to verify whether the text at hand is the result of a fusion of two or more text units, or the splitting of a text unit into two or more segments, or to confirm the initial evaluation obtained in the first step.

Heritage Science

This person must be a host from the tradition of the text at hand.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As he does in most of his works, Mr. Golijov moves easily among musical accents and eras, creating whatever world strikes him as most suitable for the imagery or the texts at hand.

The New York Times

Before each of the three – Sarah Bannan, Claire Lowdon and Sara Taylor – read from their books, Smith explained why she had chosen them, in a way that could hardly have given less sense of a grande dame of literature bestowing her imprimatur: warm, funny, communicative, yes – but also urgently engaged with the texts at hand.

The Guardian - Books

In the meantime, after paging through some New York Times top-headlines digests with his byline, I found what I was looking for: "me, Anthony (2)" read the text at the left hand side of the result.

Vice

Co-authors are chosen based on their expertise for the text block at hand.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

But the court accepted, Mr Bouchard affirmed, text at hand, that the central point would indeed be sovereignty for Quebec, not a new shape for Canadian federalism.

The Economist

Mr. Cook is an expressive singer, not only vocally but also with a physical bearing that clearly but subtly conveys his engagement with and reaction to the song texts at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

This procedure clearly presupposes that the students had their own texts at hand and were sufficiently familiar with Aristotle's philosophy as a whole.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing literature, use "the text at hand" to maintain a formal tone while directing focus to the specific passage under examination.

Common error

Avoid using "the text at hand" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "this article" or "what we're reading" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the text at hand" functions as a noun phrase that specifies the particular text being considered or analyzed. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it directs attention to the specific written material currently under discussion, similar to how "the matter being discussed" focuses on the topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the text at hand" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to specify a document or written work under consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for indicating a particular text being examined. While it appears across diverse contexts, it's most frequent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. For formal or academic writing, "the text at hand" is a valuable tool to clarify the subject. Remember that while this phrase is correct and usable, it is better used in formal writing than in everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the present document

Uses 'present' to highlight the immediacy of the text.

the document in question

Replaces 'text' with 'document' and uses 'in question' for specificity.

the current reading

Highlights the act of reading and the text being read.

the matter being discussed

Shifts focus from the text itself to the topic of discussion.

the article at present

Replaces 'text' with 'article' and uses 'at present' to indicate current time.

the piece in question

Uses "piece" as a more informal substitute for "text"

the subject under consideration

Emphasizes a more formal and analytical approach.

the relevant passage

Focuses on a specific segment within a larger text.

the topic at issue

Focuses on the problematic or debatable aspect of the text.

the instant case

Uses a legal term to indicate the current matter being examined.

FAQs

How can I use "the text at hand" in a sentence?

Use "the text at hand" to refer specifically to the piece of writing currently being discussed or analyzed. For example: "In order to properly interpret the poem, we must closely analyze "the text at hand"."

What's a more formal alternative to "the text at hand"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the subject under consideration" or "the document in question". These options provide a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "the text at hand" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "the text at hand" is generally better suited for formal writing and academic discussions. In casual settings, simpler alternatives like "this article" or "what we're looking at" might be more appropriate.

How does "the text at hand" differ from "the issue at hand"?

"The text at hand" refers specifically to a written document or passage being analyzed, whereas "the issue at hand" refers to the problem or matter that needs to be dealt with or discussed. They are not interchangeable.