premise: Forceps are used for grasping objects.
hypothesis: Forceps ( plural forceps or forcipes ) are a handheld , hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects . Forceps are used when fingers are too large to grasp small objects or when many objects need to be held at one time while the hands are used to perform a task . Outside medicine , people usually refer to forceps as tweezers , tongs , pliers , clips or clamps . Mechanically , forceps employ the principle of the lever to grasp and apply pressure .