F
Fictional
Senior Member
India - Hindi
- Sep 27, 2013
- #1
Hello everyone,
Recently, I was taking to a friend of mine and he told me that he's been selected for internship in a decent company. After congratulating him, I asked him about the stipend, which they intend to give him. He replied to me and his exact words were, "I'll be getting <amount> in hand". Ever since that conversation, I have been pondering over a thought, which is, would it be correct to say, "I'll be getting <amount> at/on hand?".
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PaulQ
Senior Member
UK
English - England
- Sep 27, 2013
- #2
I have been pondering over a thought, which is, would it be correct to say, "I'll be getting <amount> at/on hand?". No, neither make sense. "... in hand" usually means "... in my hand" = money at his disposal (often cash and without deductions for tax, insurance, etc.)
Sparky Malarky
Senior Member
Indiana
English - US
- Sep 27, 2013
- #3
Money in hand = money paid to me
Money at hand = money which is nearby
Money on hand = money which is available for use
rhitagawr
Senior Member
Wales
British English
- Sep 27, 2013
- #4
They're all different. Cash in hand means you're given the cash. You can also say The situation's in hand - it's under control.
Help was at hand - help was nearby.
John was on hand to help us - we could ask him for help if we wanted.
At hand and on hand are very similar in meaning. The difference, it seems to me, is that on hand implies a greater degree of purpose. John was there in order to help us, whereas at hand simply says that help was available.
Cross-posted.
F
Fictional
Senior Member
India - Hindi
- Sep 27, 2013
- #5
Thank you so much everyone for the answers, they have solved my problem.
F
Fictional
Senior Member
India - Hindi
- Sep 27, 2013
- #6
I have framed some sentences to fully understand the usage of all these prepositions in this context. Can someone please verify them for me?
1. At hand- I always keep my alarm clock at hand before going to sleep.
2. On hand- I have an alarm clock on hand, if you want I can give it you.
rhitagawr
Senior Member
Wales
British English
- Sep 29, 2013
- #7
Fictional said:
I have framed some sentences to fully understand the usage of all these prepositions in this context. Can someone please verify them for me?
1. At hand- I always keep my alarm clock at hand before going to sleep.
2. On hand- I have an alarm clock on hand, if you want I can give it you.
These two sentences don't sound right. I don't think 'at hand' and 'on hand' go well when referring to small physical items like alarms clocks. I'd say 'I always set my alarm clock before I go to sleep.' I'd probably just say 'I've got an alarm clock.' I'd say 'The lifeboat was on hand to pick up survivors.'
There's the colloquial 'handy'. 'I always keep a pen and paper handy in case I want to write anything down.' 'Bananas come in handy when you just want a quick bite to eat.'
'
P
prudent260
Senior Member
Chinese
- Jan 7, 2020
- #8
rhitagawr said:
These two sentences don't sound right. I don't think 'at hand' and 'on hand' go well when referring to small physical items like alarms clocks.
These two sentences are from Hand | Definition of Hand by Lexico:
‘So you can put your passport and boarding card in there, conveniently at hand at all times.’
'It is also illegal to serve them more alcohol in that condition - and particularly as they have glass readily at hand.’
Do they sound right? I feel they are small physical items as well.
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