A hand is the body part at the end of the arm used for holding and touching.

The idea

Say in my hand for holding an object and raise a hand for lifting it. On a clock, an hour hand and minute hand are pointers.

Examples

  • She held the cup in her left hand.
  • Wash your hands before eating.
  • He raised his hand to ask a question.
  • The child took my hand.
  • My hands were cold after the walk.
  • The clock has an hour hand and a minute hand.

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Watch out

The context determines the sense: a clock hand is a pointer, not a body part.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the preposition for holding. She held the cup ___ her left hand. (in / at)

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    in

    In introduces the hand holding the cup.

  2. Identify hand in the clock context. The hour hand points to a number on the clock. Here hand means a ___. (pointer / body part)

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    pointer

    On a clock, hand refers to a pointer.

  3. Choose the plural. Wash both ___. (hands / hand)

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    hands

    The plural of hand is hands.

Use it today

Describe something you hold in one hand and identify a hand on a clock.