Both of you

USAGE SUMMARY

"Both of you" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to two people together. Example: "Both of you did a great job on the project." Alternative expressions include "You both" and "The two of you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both of you.

The New Yorker

Both of you blinked.

The New Yorker

Both of you are smiling.

The New Yorker

Both of you have had lots of reinventions.

The Guardian

Both of you will grow and benefit from the exchange.

The New York Times

Both of you have now violated your own rules.

The New York Times

Both of you are older, both of you are changed, but you still have a common language, common experience.

TechCrunch

"Both of you," Hannie replied.

Huffington Post

Both of you have my sympathy.

Huffington Post

I love both of you.

The New York Times

And both of you behave.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a group that includes the specific two individuals you are referring to, use "Both of you" to clearly distinguish them from the rest.

Common error

Avoid using "Both of you" when "You" alone suffices; ensure there's a genuine need to emphasize that your message is specifically for those two individuals and not others who might be present or involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Both of you" functions primarily as a determiner and pronoun. It specifies that the speaker is referring to two particular individuals out of a larger group. Ludwig highlights the phrase's correct usage across many sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Both of you" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to address or refer to two individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives such as "you two" and "the two of you" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Using "Both of you" appropriately ensures clarity and directness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

You two

This is a more concise and informal way of addressing two people.

You both

This variation places the emphasis on the action or state shared by the two people.

The two of you

This phrase emphasizes the 'two-ness' of the individuals being addressed.

The pair of you

This expression highlights the fact that the individuals form a pair or set.

Two of you

This is a more direct and less polite version.

Both individuals

This is a more formal and distanced way of referring to the pair.

Each of you two

This phrase specifies that something applies to each person individually within the pair.

Two of your number

This expression is used when the two individuals are part of a larger group.

The aforementioned two

This formal phrase refers back to two individuals previously mentioned.

Both parties

A legal or formal term referring to the two people involved in an agreement or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "Both of you" in a sentence?

Use "Both of you" to address two people directly, for example, "Both of you need to complete the assignment by Friday."

What are some alternatives to "Both of you"?

Alternatives include "You two", "You both", or "The two of you", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it more formal to say "Both of you" or "You two"?

"Both of you" is generally considered slightly more formal than "You two", but the difference is minimal in most contexts.

When should I use "The two of you" instead of "Both of you"?

"The two of you" emphasizes the pair as a unit, while "Both of you" addresses them individually, though they are often interchangeable.