the thing at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the thing at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the current issue or matter being discussed or considered. Example: "In our meeting today, we need to focus on the thing at hand, which is the budget proposal for next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

One of the first challenges in describing the sky is to find words that allow a reader to see the thing at hand, while resisting clichés.

The New York Times

They see beyond the thing at hand to the mysterious relation it may have to another thing at hand — when an apple drops on their head, they ask what dark, occult force in the earth drew it there.

The New Yorker

For a piece of discourse to qualify as "disputation," one side must contend that the thing at hand is "this" (shì), the other that it is not-this (fei).

SEP

Equivalently, they see it as debating whether, with respect to the term 'ox', the thing at hand is "this" (shì) or "not-this" (fei whether the term "fits" it or not.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Our incapacity to deal with the things at hand is evident in our use of, and increasing reliance on, digital technology.

The New York Times

"The real thing at hand here is slavery," Peele remarked as he first began to take questions from the audience.

The New Yorker

I thought this piece of sculpture was the coolest thing ever, so I naturally wrote a story about it, because that's what you do in college — absent any real life experience, you write about the closest thing at hand.

The New York Times

In an earlier decade, struggling to finish the job on a hot afternoon, he had cast about for a stick or something to twist tight a diagonal cross-brace wire, but the only thing at hand was a cow's bleached leg bone with its trochlea head, which seemed made to jam fence wire tight.

The New Yorker

They see it as contending over whether the shí (stuff, thing) at hand is of the kind ox or not.

SEP

Again and again and again women fall back on making art from the thing nearest at hand that separates them from men: their bodies — and often echo their predecessors rather literally.

The New York Times - Arts

For now, there is only one thing at hand, a shot at another gold medal, one more stab at the only glory their under-the-radar sport ever knows.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the thing at hand" to clearly direct focus to the immediate topic or task being discussed. This helps maintain clarity and prevents digressions.

Common error

While "the thing at hand" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents or presentations. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives such as "the matter at hand" or "the issue at hand" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the thing at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It identifies and directs attention to a specific matter, issue, or task requiring immediate consideration, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the thing at hand" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize the immediate subject or task under consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from various sources. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives such as "the matter at hand" might be preferred in professional or academic settings. Use "the thing at hand" to focus attention and maintain clarity in discussions, but be mindful of overusing it, especially in formal contexts. Top authoritative sources include The New York Times and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the matter at hand

Replaces "thing" with "matter", emphasizing the importance or seriousness of the issue.

the issue at hand

Substitutes "thing" with "issue", highlighting a problem or point of discussion.

the subject at hand

Replaces "thing" with "subject", focusing on the topic being discussed or examined.

the topic at hand

Similar to "subject at hand", but emphasizes the specific theme or area of discussion.

the item at hand

Replaces "thing" with "item", suggesting a specific object or element under consideration.

the task at hand

Substitutes "thing" with "task", focusing on a specific job or duty that needs to be done.

the problem at hand

Highlights the presence of an issue or challenge that needs to be addressed.

the question at hand

Focuses on a query or point that requires an answer or resolution.

the point at issue

Emphasizes the specific point of disagreement or contention.

the present concern

Highlights the current matter that is causing worry or attention.

FAQs

What does "the thing at hand" mean?

The phrase "the thing at hand" refers to the current issue, topic, or task that is being discussed or considered. It's a way to focus attention on the immediate subject.

What can I say instead of "the thing at hand"?

You can use alternatives like "the matter at hand", "the issue at hand", or "the topic at hand" depending on the context.

Is "the thing at hand" formal or informal?

The phrase "the thing at hand" is generally considered neutral. While acceptable in many contexts, using more precise alternatives like "matter" or "issue" might be preferable in highly formal settings.

How do I use "the thing at hand" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce or redirect the focus of a conversation or discussion. For example: "Let's focus on "the thing at hand", which is finalizing the budget."