On hand meaning in English
Learn how to use On hand correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
(to be) on hand: (to be) available; near, close; visible
to keep (something) on hand: to keep (something) near and available, within reach
Examples
- "I know your fondness for mixed nuts, so I'll do my best to ensure that we have some fresh cashews on hand for snacking."
- "President Jones cuts a dashing figure with his beehive hairdo, sharp three-piece suit and the small purse (or "man bag") he keeps on hand for his boss."
Exercise 1
"Do you have a pen handy?".
Select the sentence(s) which use the term "handy" correctly. Note that the term may be used correctly in ways other than that heard in the dialogue.
There may be more than one correct answer!
Select the sentence(s) which use the term "handy" correctly. Note that the term may be used correctly in ways other than that heard in the dialogue.
There may be more than one correct answer!
"Do you have a pen handy?".
Select the sentence(s) which use the term "handy" correctly. Note that the term may be used correctly in ways other than that heard in the dialogue.
There may be more than one correct answer!
Select the sentence(s) which use the term "handy" correctly. Note that the term may be used correctly in ways other than that heard in the dialogue.
There may be more than one correct answer!
This is a correct choice. Here, the adjective "handy" means "convenient", "useful", or "practical". This is a slightly different use of the term "handy" than in the dialogue, where Bethany refers to having an item "nearby" or "within reach".
This is a correct choice. This is the same meaning of "handy" as used by Bethany in the dialogue. The term describes something which is "nearby", "close" or "within reach". Example: "Are your keys handy? I can't find mine".
This is a correct choice. The expression "to come in handy" means "to prove useful" or "to be convenient". Here, the speaker is suggesting that it may rain, so an umbrella could be "convenient" or "useful".
This is incorrect. The term "handy" is not used for a portable telephone. In the UK, we call this a "mobile" or "mobile phone", and in the US, it is known as a "cell" or "cell phone".
Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate term from the conversation you just heard.
A is a portable or mobile phone.
At the end of the dialogue, Jennifer tells Philip she will the phone, or end the conversation. (Two words).
Both of these terms were used in the dialogue.
A is a portable or mobile phone.
At the end of the dialogue, Jennifer tells Philip she will the phone, or end the conversation. (Two words).
Both of these terms were used in the dialogue.
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate term from the conversation you just heard.
A cell 1 is a portable or mobile phone.
At the end of the dialogue, Jennifer tells Philip she will hang up 2 the phone, or end the conversation. (Two words).
Both of these terms were used in the dialogue.
A cell 1 is a portable or mobile phone.
At the end of the dialogue, Jennifer tells Philip she will hang up 2 the phone, or end the conversation. (Two words).
Both of these terms were used in the dialogue.
1 cell: In this conversation, Philip uses the term a "cell", which is short for "cellular phone", or "mobile phone".
2 hang up: The phrasal verb "to hang up" means to end a phone call, or to replace the receiver of a telephone on the cradle or base of the machine. In this conversation, Jennifer tells Philip that she is "hanging up", or "ending the conversation".
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