vast hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe hands that are large in size or have a significant presence, often in a metaphorical or poetic context. Example: "He reached out with his vast hands, offering comfort and strength to those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

PANZANO IN CHIANTI, ITALY — Back when the young butcher still wished he were a veterinarian, his improbably vast hands trembled when he cut.

The New York Times

The visuals match the musical bombast: the screen at the back of the stage shows vast hands with strings attached to them, as if the band playing in front of them are puppets being manipulated; inflatable balls, streamers and confetti rain down on the audience, fireworks shoot into the sky.

The Guardian - Music

Just outside, a graffiti-covered wall includes a striking illustration of two vast hands clutching a can of spray paint.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Transforming these video stills into a vast, hand-carved one-off can take up to a year.

The Guardian - Arts

"Come here," she says, conspiratorially, in low-pitched Italian, taking me by the arm to inspect the back of a vast hand-painted stage curtain.

The New York Times

For the charismatic thinker, individual life experiences were nothing more than the fingerprints of the vast hand of the unknown, to be dusted for evidence of universal mysteries, not examined for their own squirrelly patterns.

The New York Times - Books

They were also early urban planners, who used astronomical alignments to lay out a low-scale metropolis of 10-20,000 people, featuring a town centre with broad public plazas and key buildings set atop vast, hand-built earthen mounds.

The Guardian

Control over the environment is depicted as taking place on a vast scale, hand in hand with the absence of any natural life, with artificial animals substituting for their extinct predecessors.

Wikipedia

Rubenstein was there to receive the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, along with seven others, including Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen and the Utah industrialist Jon Huntsman, Sr. Rubenstein roamed around the vast Celeste Bartos Forum, hands in his pockets, with the proprietary air of a man at his daughter's wedding.

The New Yorker

Wade was now darting in between the vast grasping hands, and a blur of Wasps handling saw Josh Bassett released down the left for a fine riposte, tarnished when he caught his foot in the disintegrating turf as he scored, twisting his knee.

The Guardian - Sport

To dismiss it as rough justice is to miss the point: public anger about the vast sums handed out to many bankers and bosses is great, growing – and justified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast hands" to create a vivid image of size or capability, particularly in descriptive writing. For example, "The sculptor shaped the clay with his vast hands."

Common error

Avoid using "vast hands" in contexts where simple size isn't the key attribute. Describing delicate work being done with large hands might be better phrased as "clumsy hands" or "unwieldy hands" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast hands" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "vast", which modifies the noun "hands", to describe hands that are large in size or scope. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vast hands" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily functioning as a descriptive noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed to convey a sense of considerable size or influence. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts like News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility. When writing, consider using "vast hands" to create a vivid image of scale or capacity, avoiding misuse in contexts where the sheer size is not the defining characteristic. Alternatives such as "large hands" or "enormous hands" can be considered depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large hands

Direct synonym focusing on size.

enormous hands

Emphasizes the extreme size of the hands.

immense hands

Similar to enormous, but slightly more formal.

huge hands

A more common and less formal way to say large hands.

giant hands

Suggests hands of an exceptionally large size, often used metaphorically.

oversized hands

Focuses on the hands being larger than what is considered normal.

substantial hands

Indicates hands that are large and strong.

broad hands

Emphasizes the width of the hands.

powerful hands

Focuses on the strength and capability of the hands, implying large size.

imposing hands

Suggests hands that are large and create a strong impression.

FAQs

How can I use "vast hands" in a sentence?

You can use "vast hands" to describe someone's large hands or, metaphorically, to represent a large-scale influence. For example: "He held the fragile bird in his vast hands" or "The project was managed by a corporation with vast hands in the global market".

What's a good alternative to "vast hands"?

Some alternatives to "vast hands" include "large hands", "enormous hands", or "immense hands" depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "vast hands" in formal writing?

Yes, "vast hands" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when creating vivid imagery or emphasizing the magnitude of something. However, ensure the tone and context align with the overall formality of your piece.

Can "vast hands" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "vast hands" can be used metaphorically to represent significant power, influence, or control. For example, "The government has vast hands in the nation's economy."