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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with hand

Different prepositions with hand create different meanings. Common combinations include on hand, at hand, in hand, and to hand.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with hand?

The correct preposition depends on meaning. On hand means available, at hand means nearby or soon, in hand means under control or being dealt with, and to hand means received or available in British English. Of hand is not a standard expression by itself.

We have extra staff on hand tonight.
Help is at hand.
The matter is in hand now.
Do you have the report to hand?

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on hand

Availability

Use on hand for people or things that are available when needed.

There were doctors on hand during the event.
2
at hand

Near in time or distance

Use at hand for something close or about to happen.

The deadline is at hand.
3
in hand

Under control or in progress

Use in hand for tasks being managed or situations under control.

The engineers have the problem in hand.
4
to hand

Available for immediate use

To hand is mainly British English and means easily available.

I do not have my passport to hand right now.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on hand
Security staff were on hand.
Available and ready to help.
at hand
A solution is at hand.
Near or coming soon.
in hand
She has the project in hand.
Being managed or controlled.
to hand
Keep your documents to hand.
Available nearby, mainly British English.
of hand
The phrase of hand is not a standard fixed expression.
Usually unnatural unless part of a larger phrase such as the palm of the hand.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Confusing at hand and on hand

At hand means near; on hand means available.

✕ Extra chairs are at hand for guests. ✓ Extra chairs are on hand for guests.

Using of hand as a fixed phrase

English does not normally use of hand alone as an idiomatic expression.

✕ Keep the tools of hand. ✓ Keep the tools to hand.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please keep your ID ___ hand during the trip.
2. A doctor was ___ hand during the race.
3. The situation is now ___ hand.

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Frequently asked questions

Is to hand British English?

Yes. It is especially common in British English for something easily available.

Can at hand refer to time?

Yes. It often means something is about to happen soon.

What does in hand mean in business English?

It can mean a task or project is currently being worked on.

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"? "in class" or "of class"?

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