those on hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "those on hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to people or items that are present or available at a particular time or place. Example: "We will only be able to accommodate those on hand for the meeting, so please arrive on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Six pupils at a London primary school are to be filmed campaigning for the position of headteacher and Robinson is to be one of those on hand to give the candidates advice on policies and strategies.

The Guardian

While the series can go either way, one thing remains clear -- those on hand to watch the action live will be paying record ticket prices to watch their team etch their name into NBA history.

HuffPost

The news drew giggles from those on hand.

The New York Times - Sports

I would like to have a few of those on hand in case of an emergency.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Most of those on hand were more concerned with the environmental risks.

The New York Times

Isaac Hayes and Sam the Sham will be among those on hand to celebrate.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

For those on-hand to witness the Floridian's 11th World Title, it seemed as if the entire crowd was appreciative of Slater for bringing what could possibly be his final World Title to San Francisco.

Huffington Post

When he/she asks you for some instances of this, you can have those on-hand.

WikiHow

You learn what your priorities are and who your real friends are - and you can count those on one hand..

The Guardian

I can count those on one hand, but all it takes is one.

Huffington Post

Still, he insisted that such extreme cases are rare: "I can count those incidents on one hand," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "those on hand" to refer to people who are readily available or present at a particular location or event, especially when their presence is relevant to the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "those on hand" when a more specific term like "attendees" or "participants" would be more appropriate. The phrase is best used when the general presence of people is the key point, rather than their specific role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "those on hand" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify a group of people who are present or available at a particular time or place. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "those on hand" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, predominantly found in news and media contexts, to refer to people who are present or available at a specific time or place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "those present" or "individuals in attendance" for academic or highly formal settings. Remember to use it when referring to people who are physically present and their presence is relevant to the situation. While "attendees" is similar, it should be used when referring to people who have specifically registered or are participating in an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those present

This phrase is a more direct synonym, emphasizing the act of being physically there.

those in attendance

A formal synonym, highlights the action of being present at a function or event.

individuals present

Similar to "those present" but using a more formal term for people.

people in attendance

This is a more formal way to describe the individuals present at an event.

attendees

This term refers specifically to individuals who are present at an event or gathering.

participants

Emphasizes the active involvement of the people present.

the assembled group

This phrase suggests a more formal or organized gathering of people.

the company present

Implies a group of people gathered together, often in a social context.

the audience

Specifically refers to those watching or listening to a performance or presentation.

the gathering

Highlights the group as a collective.

FAQs

How can I use "those on hand" in a sentence?

You can use "those on hand" to refer to people who are present or available at a particular time or place. For example: "We will only be able to accommodate "those on hand" for the meeting, so please arrive on time."

What's a more formal alternative to "those on hand"?

A more formal alternative to "those on hand" is "those present" or "individuals present". These options offer a slightly more elevated tone, suitable for formal writing or speech.

When should I use "those on hand" instead of "attendees"?

Use "those on hand" when you want to emphasize the general presence of people without focusing on their specific role as attendees. "Attendees" is more appropriate when specifically referring to people who have registered or are participating in an event.

Is "those on hand" suitable for academic writing?

While "those on hand" is grammatically correct, it might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "participants" or "individuals present" to maintain a higher level of formality.