to hand over

USAGE SUMMARY

"to hand over" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean "to give something to someone else," and it can also be used to mean "to relinquish power or control over something." For example: "The CEO is planning to hand over the company to his daughter next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now is the right time to hand over".

The New York Times

Banks and investors are reluctant to hand over more funds.

The Economist

It doesn't require drivers to hand over their keys.

MIT Technology Review

The last stage will be to hand over security responsibilities".

The New York Times

The prosecution is not required to hand over everything.

The Guardian

It contained familiar ideas to hand over power.

The Guardian

How about forcing customers to hand over still more assets?

Forbes

When adopting these roles, teachers are likely to hand over more responsibility to their students.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Rockhold was resigned to hand over praise.

Los Angeles Times

They want to hand over our schools to private corporations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the category 'internal cooperation' (17%), the actions were mostly related to hand-over situations.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to hand over" in your writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being transferred and to whom. For example, "The company decided to hand over the project to a new team."

Common error

Avoid using "hand over to" when the recipient is already clear from the context. For instance, instead of saying "Hand over the documents to the officer", simply say "Hand over the documents."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "to hand over" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring both a subject and an object. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is used to describe the act of transferring something, whether physical or abstract, from one entity to another.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to hand over" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the transfer of something from one entity to another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. While alternatives like "to relinquish" or "to transfer" exist, "to hand over" provides a clear and versatile way to describe the act of transferring possession, responsibility, or control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to transfer

Highlights the act of moving something from one place or person to another.

to turn over

Suggests a complete transfer of responsibility or control.

to relinquish

Focuses on the act of giving up something, often power or control.

to cede

Emphasizes formally surrendering possession or territory.

to entrust

Implies a transfer of responsibility with a degree of trust.

to pass on

Implies a less formal transfer, often of information or a task.

to give up

Focuses on the act of surrendering something, often unwillingly.

to yield

Emphasizes giving way to pressure or demands.

to deliver

Focuses on the act of bringing something to its destination or intended recipient.

to convey

Highlights the act of communicating or transferring information or feelings.

FAQs

What does "to hand over" mean?

The phrasal verb "to hand over" means to give something to someone else, often implying a transfer of responsibility or control. It can also mean to deliver or surrender something.

What can I say instead of "to hand over"?

You can use alternatives like "to relinquish", "to cede", or "to transfer" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "hand over to"?

While "hand over to" is grammatically correct, it's often redundant if the recipient is already clear from the context. Consider using just "hand over" for a more concise sentence.

What is the difference between "to hand over" and "to give up"?

"To hand over" implies a transfer to someone else, while "to give up" suggests abandoning something, without necessarily transferring it to another party.