applying to both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applying to both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is relevant or applicable to two subjects or entities. Example: "The new policy changes are applying to both employees and management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Students do not reduce their competitiveness for either program by applying to both programs.

Yale University

The act, applying to both the public and private sectors, creates a government position to handle complaints.

The New York Times

Louisiana is one of 12 states that still have sodomy laws applying to both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

The New York Times

That amount, applying to both the traditional I.R.A. and the newer Roth I.R.A., would rise to $5,000, in phases, by 2003.

The New York Times

In general, we recommend applying to both programs simultaneously in order to have a more integrated learning experience throughout both programs.

Yale University

Emails must indicate which department/s you are applying to both in the email subject line and in the Cover Letter.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

You are welcome to apply to both.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The United States wants it to apply to both.

The New York Times

But principles of good writing apply to both.

The New Yorker

The new American policy will apply to both.

The New York Times

But the same freedom of movement rules apply to both.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "applying to both", ensure the context clearly defines the two entities being referenced. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what 'both' refers to.

Common error

A common mistake is using "applying to both" without clearly defining what 'both' refers to, leading to confusion. Always specify the two items or concepts to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applying to both" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as part of a larger verb phrase. It indicates that an action, rule, or characteristic is relevant or applicable to two specific entities. As Ludwig AI explains, it's generally considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "applying to both" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the dual relevance of a subject, action, or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and readily usable across diverse writing contexts. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions underscore its widespread acceptance. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to explicitly state the two entities to which the phrase refers. Alternatives like "relevant to both" and "applicable to both" offer nuanced substitutions for varied writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant to both

Focuses on the relevance of something to two distinct items.

applicable to both

Emphasizes that something can be applied to two different things.

pertaining to both

Highlights the connection or relationship to two separate aspects.

applying to each

Stresses individual application to separate items.

common to both

Indicates shared characteristics or features.

concerning both

Implies the subject matter involves two items.

in relation to both

Shows a comparative aspect, connecting to two subjects.

for both of

Used when expressing something that is intended for two entities.

regarding both

Similar to concerning, but possibly more formal.

encompassing both

Suggests including or covering two separate aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "applying to both" in a sentence?

You can use "applying to both" to indicate that something is relevant or affects two specific entities. For example, "The new regulations are "applying to both" employees and managers."

What are some alternatives to "applying to both"?

Some alternatives include "relevant to both", "applicable to both", or "pertaining to both", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "apply to both" instead of "applying to both"?

Yes, "apply to both" can be used, but it might change the sentence structure. "Applying to both" often acts as a participial phrase, while "apply to both" would require a different grammatical construction, like "These rules apply to both new and existing customers."

What is the difference between "applying to both" and "applying to each"?

"Applying to both" suggests a collective application to two defined entities, while "applying to each" emphasizes individual application to separate items. The nuance depends on whether the action is seen as a single application to two things or separate applications.