work on hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"work on hand" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express a backlog of work that needs to be completed. For example, "I have a lot of work on hand because I am behind in my projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The business has so much work on hand that your correspondent will be lucky to get his refurbished Rollei complete with a new Maxwell screen back before Christmas.

The Economist

With the contents of Mr. Smith's studio transposed to Mana and a large percentage of the artworks successfully conserved, Mr. Lemay had 30 years of work on hand from which to choose for the exhibition.

The New York Times

And the variety and abundance of work on hand, in bins and on walls, guarantee that connoisseurs, collectors, artists and lay people are sure to find compelling objects to study.

The New York Times - Arts

Puccini's "Tosca" is the work on hand June 27 at 8 p.m., with Georgina Lukács in the title role, Fabio Armiliato as Cavaradossi, James Morris as Scarpia and Julius Rudel conducting.

The New York Times

In this brief review, the body of work on hand use and cortical plasticity is reviewed.

Behavioural Brain Research

"The art work on hand in the permanent collection will take away your breath and fire your imagination".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I wanted to work, on one hand to supplement the family income, on the other hand to get out of the family to liberate myself.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

It is of interest that these works on one hand refer to decades ago [ 89], whilst on the other have been only recently conducted [ 47].

BMC Psychiatry

Then, when we get to where we think the fire started, now it's hard work on hands and knees with metal detectors, with binoculars staring at something three feet away from you.

Los Angeles Times

Except for an installation by one strongly original veteran artist, Franz West, the works on hand amount to new wine in old bottles.

The New Yorker

The works on hand back this up, ranging between figuration and abstraction, by various routes.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work on hand", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to tasks readily available or tasks currently being actively worked on.

Common error

Avoid using "work on hand" when you mean "hands-on work". "Work on hand" refers to available or pending tasks, while "hands-on work" refers to practical, direct involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work on hand" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb, describing the tasks or projects that are available or currently being addressed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "work on hand" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes tasks or projects currently available or in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context makes it clear whether the tasks are available or actively being worked on. Alternatives like ""tasks at hand"" or "projects in progress" may provide a more precise meaning depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tasks at hand

This alternative focuses on the 'tasks' aspect, highlighting specific duties needing attention.

projects in progress

This alternative emphasizes ongoing 'projects', particularly relevant in business or academic settings.

duties to be done

This alternative emphasizes the 'duties' component, suggesting responsibilities that must be completed.

assignments in queue

Highlights the ordered sequence of assignments or jobs waiting to be processed.

responsibilities on deck

This option uses 'responsibilities', a formal term, and suggests preparedness to handle them.

business at hand

This alternative is more business-oriented, referring to current tasks or issues needing attention.

jobs in the pipeline

This focuses on tasks or jobs that are upcoming or in a sequence of actions.

work in progress

This alternative is often used for ongoing projects, but less focused on immediate action.

ongoing efforts

This highlights the 'efforts' aspect, emphasizing continuous work towards a goal.

matters being addressed

This option is more formal and indicates that certain issues are actively being dealt with.

FAQs

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

You can use "work on hand" to describe the amount of tasks or projects that need to be addressed. For example, "The team has a lot of "tasks at hand" this week".

What is a good alternative to "work on hand"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""tasks at hand"", "projects in progress", or "duties to be done".

Is "work on hand" the same as "hands-on work"?

No, "work on hand" refers to the amount of work available, while "hands-on work" describes practical, direct involvement in a task. They have distinct meanings and shouldn't be used interchangeably.

When is it appropriate to use "work on hand"?

Use "work on hand" when you want to convey the idea of having tasks readily available or a backlog of projects to tackle. It is appropriate in both professional and informal contexts.