You both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "You both" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when addressing two people directly. Example: "You both did an excellent job on the project." Alternative expressions include "Both of you" and "You two."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You both achieved climax b.

Independent

You both have nothing here.

The New Yorker

"You both fight, you both want your teams to win.

The Guardian - Sport

You both missed the vote.

The New York Times

You both like music.

TechCrunch

"You both loved tequila.

Los Angeles Times

You both have said….

Los Angeles Times

You both know Jennie?

Vice

You both have teeth".

Huffington Post

You both are missing.

Huffington Post

You both succeed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "You both" when directly addressing two specific individuals, ensuring clarity in your communication. This is particularly useful in instructions or conversations where distinguishing the addressed parties is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "You both" when addressing more than two people. If the context involves a group larger than two, use "all of you" or address the group by name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "You both" functions primarily as a pronoun and adverb combination, directly addressing two individuals. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where it's used to include two people in a statement or question.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "You both" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to address two individuals directly. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to informal conversations. While alternatives like "both of you" exist for more formal settings, "You both" remains a versatile and frequently employed phrase in everyday communication. Remember to avoid using "You both" when addressing more than two people, and ensure clarity in your communication by specifying who you are addressing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Both of you

Emphasizes the duality and focuses on each individual separately.

You two

A more informal way of addressing two people.

The two of you

Highlights that there are two individuals involved.

All of you (referring to two)

Can be used if the speaker was initially talking to a bigger group of people and now wants to focus on the two people being addressed.

The pair of you

Emphasizes the relationship or connection between the two people.

You folks

An informal and friendly way to address two people, common in some regions.

You all (referring to two)

A regional variant, mostly used in the Southern US.

Each of you

Draws attention to the individuality of each person within the pair.

The both of you

Alternative word order emphasizing the togetherness.

Together, you

Highlights the combined action or state of the two people.

FAQs

How can I use "You both" in a sentence?

"You both" is used to address two people directly. For example, "You both did a great job" or "Did "you both see" the movie?".

What's a more formal way to say "You both"?

A more formal alternative to "You both" is "Both of you". This phrase maintains clarity while sounding more polished.

Is it ever correct to use "You both" when referring to more than two people?

No, "You both" should only be used when addressing exactly two people. For larger groups, use "all of you" or address them collectively by name.

How does "You both" compare to "You two" in terms of usage?

"You two" and "You both" are often interchangeable in informal contexts. However, "You both" can sometimes emphasize shared responsibility or characteristics, while "you two" simply acknowledges the presence of two people.