On the one hand … on the other hand

In English, we use the expression on the one hand followed by on the other hand to show a contrast. For example:

• On the one hand, the new legislation provides more protection for employees. On the other hand, it will increase operational costs for employers.

But you do not have to use the expression ‘on the one hand’ before using the expression ‘on the other hand’. It is acceptable to write the above example like this:

• The new legislation provides more protection for employees. On the other hand, it will increase operational costs for employers.

My students often query this, but here is what Bryan Garner said in his recent ‘Garner’s Usage Tip of the Day’:

‘on the other hand. It’s pure pedantry to insist that this contrastive phrase must always be paired with on the one hand. In fact, to do so in most cases would be verbose. On the other hand has been in common use without a preceding on the one hand since the 1600s.’

Bryan Garner is the author of the best-selling books, Garner’s Modern English Usage (OUP, 5th edition 2023) and Legal Writing in Plain English (University of Chicago Press, 3rd edition 2023). You can find out more about his work here: https://lawprose.org/ and join his email list for ‘Garner’s Usage Tip of the Day’.