apply to both boys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply to both boys" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules, conditions, or situations that are relevant to two boys. Example: "The new school policy will apply to both boys and girls equally."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Formal & Business

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Based on the analysis of invariance it seems reasonable to conclude that the same construct seems to apply to both boys and girls.

BMC Psychiatry

In contrast, the same weight pattern was found to apply to both boys and girls and no indications of any gender differences in the proportion of overweight within the celiac disease group were found in the present study.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Child marriage - defined as marriage before the age of 18 - applies to both boys and girls, but the practice is far more common among young girls.

Unicef

This applies to both boys and girls.

WikiHow

Same goes for girl, which originally meant just "child," and so could be applied to both girls and boys.

Huffington Post

The Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to both girls and boys.

Unicef

While child marriage - defined as marriage before the age of 18 - applies to both girls and boys, the practice is far more common among girls, especially those in rural areas.

Unicef

However, the subtle or gross costs and benefits of race and racism apply to all boys and men in different ways because race and racism position women and men differentially with respect to the ruling patriarchal masculinity in their particular context.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

The sexual double standards that apply to boys and girls are acutely observed.

The Guardian - Books

It's a tricky one and it doesn't just apply to the UK boys.

Independent

But, as girls characteristically join gangs for different reasons to those that apply to boys, so they need different exit routes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "apply to both boys", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being applied, such as rules, principles, or standards. This clarity helps avoid ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what "apply to both boys" automatically applies to all boys universally. Acknowledge potential individual differences and contextual factors that might influence the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply to both boys" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used to indicate that a particular rule, standard, or principle is relevant or applicable to the group of boys. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apply to both boys" is grammatically correct and serves to specify that a particular rule, standard, or principle is relevant to the group of boys. As Ludwig AI confirms, this prepositional phrase is commonly used in diverse contexts, from scientific publications to news reports. The phrase's formality varies, adapting to different registers and communicative goals. Remembering best practices—clarity and context—ensures effective usage. Common errors, such as overgeneralizing without accounting for individual differences, should be avoided. Therefore, when writing, be mindful of the context and audience, to use the phrase in a professional style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apply equally to boys

Focuses on the equal application of something to boys, simplifying the original phrase.

be applicable to boys

Uses the adjective "applicable" instead of the verb "apply", while retaining a similar meaning.

be relevant to boys

Replaces "apply to" with "be relevant to", emphasizing the pertinence of something to boys.

pertain to boys

Uses "pertain to" as a synonym for "apply to", indicating a relation to boys.

hold true for boys

Emphasizes that something is valid or accurate for boys.

concern boys

Uses "concern" to indicate that something relates to boys, offering a more direct phrasing.

extend to boys

Indicates that something reaches or includes boys.

affect boys

Substitutes "apply to" with "affect", highlighting the impact on boys.

be pertinent to boys

Replaces "apply to" with "be pertinent to", stressing the relevance to boys.

be valid for boys

Focuses on the validity of something in relation to boys.

FAQs

How can I use "apply to both boys" in a sentence?

You can use "apply to both boys" to indicate that a rule, principle, or guideline is relevant for both boys. For example, "The new dress code will "apply to both genders"."

What's a good alternative to "apply to both boys"?

Alternatives include "be relevant to boys", "affect boys", or "be applicable to boys", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "apply to both boys"?

Yes, the phrase "apply to both boys" is grammatically correct. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating relevance or applicability.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "apply to both boys"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to specify that something is relevant or applicable to boys, often in contrast to or in conjunction with girls or other groups. For example, it can be used in discussions about policies, rules, or characteristics that "apply equally to boys".