at both

USAGE SUMMARY

Yes "at both" is a grammatically correct part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to two things that were mentioned previously. Example: She tried both methods, and was successful at both.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was terrible at both.

Vice

They have drop trailers at both ends.

The New Yorker

She succeeded at both.

The New Yorker

He failed at both.

The New York Times

Let's look at both.

The New York Times

He won at both.

The New York Times

They failed at both.

The New York Times - Sports

Taylor's good at both.

Independent

The P3s excel at both.

Independent

Unity fails at both ends.

The New York Times

Audiences here yawned at both.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at both" to clearly indicate that an action, condition, or state applies to two previously mentioned items or locations. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at both" when referring to more than two items. "At both" specifically denotes two, so using it with three or more can confuse readers. Instead, use phrases like "at all" or "at each".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at both" functions as a prepositional modifier, typically used to indicate that something applies equally to two previously mentioned items or locations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, highlighting its role in connecting related elements within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at both" serves as a concise prepositional phrase to indicate that something applies to two previously mentioned items or locations. Ludwig AI analysis and examples show that it's grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that "at both" is strictly for referencing two items; using it for more than two can lead to confusion. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "in both instances" or "regarding both" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase in order to enrich your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in both instances

Emphasizes the occurrence in two specific situations or cases.

in the two cases

Highlights that something applies to two specific scenarios under discussion.

at the two places

Specifically refers to two locations, highlighting their spatial aspect.

applying to both

Emphasizes that a rule, condition, or statement affects two separate entities.

relevant to both

Highlights that something is pertinent or applicable to two distinct aspects.

at either one

Focuses on individual selection from two options rather than both collectively.

concerning both

Similar to 'regarding both', but can imply a more direct relevance or impact.

with respect to both

Introduces a specific point or consideration applied to each of two items.

regarding both

Introduces a topic that concerns two distinct items or subjects.

in relation to both

Highlights a connection or comparison being made between two elements.

FAQs

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

Use "at both" when referring back to two previously mentioned things. For example, "She excelled in math and science; she was gifted "at both" disciplines".

What are some alternatives to saying "at both"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in both instances", "regarding both", or "concerning both" as alternatives to "at both".

Is it correct to use "at both" when referring to more than two items?

No, "at both" should only be used when referring to exactly two items. If there are more than two, use phrases like "at all" or "in each" instead.

What's the difference between "at both" and "at each"?

"At both" refers specifically to two items as a pair, while "at each" implies considering items individually, even if there are only two. You can use "at each" for more than two items. For example, "Look "at both" options" versus "Look at each option".