are both happy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are both happy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two subjects that share the same feeling of happiness. Example: "After the surprise party, they are both happy to see their friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The Liberal Democrats and Labour are both happy to wave this through.

The Guardian

My children were traumatised, but now they are both happy and sad.

The Guardian

"I think they are both happy the ways things are," Ms. Schmidt said.

The New York Times

His wife wins a lot of money at bingo & he is slated for promotion, and they are both happy.

The New Yorker

These two Cardiff venues, almost neighbours, are both happy for you to drop in and try their beers without ordering food.

The Guardian - Travel

They are happy to have some choice, and Dell and the customer are both happy to eliminate the paperwork and sales time normally associated with corporate purchasing.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

We were both happy.

The Guardian - Travel

Now you're both happy.

The Guardian - Tech

Daniel Mansdorf was both happy and unhappy.

The New York Times

I think we were both happy as well".

The New York Times - Sports

Choose a place where you are confident that you will be both happy and productive.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are both happy", ensure that the context clearly identifies the two entities experiencing the happiness, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are both happy" when referring to a singular subject or more than two subjects. The phrase is specifically for two entities. For example, do not say "The group are both happy" or "The dog are both happy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are both happy" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being for two subjects. Ludwig examples show it is used to express shared contentment or satisfaction. It is commonly used to indicate that two individuals or entities experience similar positive emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are both happy" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the shared positive emotional state of two entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently used in news and media, as well as in wiki and business contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, its clear and direct meaning makes it a versatile choice for expressing contentment or satisfaction. Remember to use it exclusively for two subjects to avoid grammatical errors, and consider alternatives like "are equally joyful" or "are mutually content" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are equally joyful

Emphasizes the even distribution of joy between the two subjects.

are both content

A shorter, more concise way of expressing shared contentment.

are mutually content

Highlights the shared feeling of contentment and satisfaction.

are similarly pleased

Focuses on the shared feeling of being pleased.

share a feeling of happiness

Emphasizes the shared emotional state more explicitly.

happiness is mutual

Expresses the mutual feeling of happiness.

are jointly satisfied

Highlights the common satisfaction experienced together.

both parties are happy

Uses a more formal tone by specifying "both parties".

are in agreement and happy

Adds the element of agreement to the feeling of happiness.

are in a state of shared happiness

Formalizes the expression by using "state of shared happiness".

FAQs

How to use "are both happy" in a sentence?

Use "are both happy" to describe two individuals or entities that share the same feeling of contentment. For instance, "After the successful negotiation, the manager and the employee "are both happy" with the outcome."

What can I say instead of "are both happy"?

You can use alternatives like "are equally joyful", "are mutually content", or "are similarly pleased" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is both happy"?

No, "is both happy" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""are both happy"", as it refers to two subjects. "Is" is for singular subjects, while "are" is for plural.

What is the difference between "are both happy" and "are very happy"?

"Are both happy" explicitly indicates that two specific entities are experiencing happiness. "Are very happy" implies a high degree of happiness and is used for a group of people without necessarily specifying two particular entities. The phrase refers to an unspecified number of subjects or a singular subject and cannot be used interchangeably.