[Idiom] Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a mea

[Total Teacher]

Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a mea

Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a means of listing differences between two pictures in the following context:
On the one hand, in the first picture there is a woman busy doing some household chores, WHILE in the second picture the same chores are being done by a man.
On the other hand, the woman in the first picture is obviously upset by having to do the chores, WHEREAS the man in the second picture seems to be enjoying the process.
I am perfectly aware, that/ according to
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/hand_1#hand_idmg_32, this phrase is "used to introduce different points of view, ideas, etc., especially when they are opposites On the one hand they'd love to have kids, but on the other, they don't want to give up their freedom."

However, according to https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ru/словарь/английский/on-the-one-hand-but-on-the-other-hand, the meaning may imply some enumeration, because the definition says:
"the first thing to consider is this, but a second and different thing to consider is this: On the one hand, I’d like a job that pays more, but on the other hand I enjoy the work I’m doing now.
I do hope to get some more insight into this "dilemma of mine". Thank you!

 

[teechar]

Re: Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a

Yes, what you wrote is possible. That structure can be used even when you're contrasting/comparing points.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Re: Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a

Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a means of listing differences between two pictures in the following context:
On the one hand, in the first picture there is a woman busy doing some household chores, WHILE in the second picture the same chores are being done by a man.
On the other hand, the woman in the first picture is obviously upset by having to do the chores, WHEREAS the man in the second picture seems to be enjoying the process.
I am perfectly aware, that/ according to
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/hand_1#hand_idmg_32, this phrase is "used to introduce different points of view, ideas, etc., especially when they are opposites On the one hand they'd love to have kids, but on the other, they don't want to give up their freedom."

However, according to https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ru/словарь/английский/on-the-one-hand-but-on-the-other-hand, the meaning may imply some enumeration, because the definition says:
"the first thing to consider is this, but a second and different thing to consider is this: On the one hand, IÂ’d like a job that pays more, but on the other hand I enjoy the work IÂ’m doing now.
I do hope to get some more insight into this "dilemma of mine". Thank you!

Welcome, Total!

I think you're getting lost in the weeds there. Your one hand and other hand phrases are not aligned correctly.

The first sentence is fine. But the word while means the same thing as but on the other hand. So when you write "while," you complete the two-handed comparison, even though the other hand isn't spelled out.

Then you start the second sentence with "On the other hand," as though you hadn't already said "while." But you had. So the second sentence doesn't make sense.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Is it possible to use the idiom "on the one hand, ... on the other hand ..." as a

I agree entirely with Charlie Bernstein but you'll hear the following from a lot of native speakers:

On one hand, ... but on the other hand, ...
On one hand, ... while on the other hand, ...
On one hand, ... whereas on the other hand, ...

Note that in BrE, the first "the" is optional. I hear both "On one hand" and "On the one hand".