between both candidates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between both candidates" is not correct in standard English usage.
The term "between" is typically used for two entities, while "both" implies two, making the phrase redundant. Example: "The debate highlighted the differences between the candidates."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Secret messages between both groups are being exchanged," he wrote, adding that any coordination between both candidates would be useless.

The New York Times

But a large obstacle stands between both candidates and the prestigious post – the US government has indicated that it wants to replace its former deputy secretary of defence with another American.

The Guardian - Business

And finally, let's be honest about differences in platform consistency between both candidates.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

10 Number of collective grand?? between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton (both candidates have had grandsons born during this campaign).

The Guardian

In a head-to-head race between Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain, both candidates are backed by 45percentt of the registered voters.

The New York Times

Because she unfairly included her tough primary contest with Sanders a factor that caused her to lose, Twitter exploded with ugly charges being hurled back and forth between supporters of both candidates.

Huffington Post

Nick Cohen makes comparisons between those fighting against both candidates, with those fighting the Nazis.

Vice

That night Kabul University closed down after terrible clashes between the supporters of both candidates.

Huffington Post

But they also see that after more than 30 million people have gone to the polls, there is a difference of 30,000 or so votes between them, and that both candidates have a legitimate argument to make to the superdelegates.

Huffington Post

dN/dS was significantly, though poorly, positively correlated between independent species pairs for both candidate ligand genes and control genes.

Plosone

In Mr. Amicone and Mr. Farmer, voters had to choose between candidates who both said they were novice politicians with extensive résumés in areas where the city faces great difficulties: repairing its troubled school system and reviving its decimated downtown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "both" with "between" as it is redundant. Choose either "between the candidates" or, if emphasizing two specific candidates, "between the two candidates".

Common error

The word "between" implies two entities, so adding "both" is unnecessary. Using "between the candidates" is concise and grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between both candidates" functions as a prepositional phrase attempting to describe a relationship or interaction. However, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect due to the redundancy of "both" when used with "between".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "between both candidates" is grammatically incorrect because the word "both" is redundant when used with "between". Correct alternatives include ""between the candidates"" or "between the two candidates". As Ludwig AI pointed out, the correct form should be preferred in formal and informal writing and speech. Although examples exist in news and science sources, adhering to proper grammar ensures clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between the candidates

Removes the redundant "both", resulting in standard English usage.

between the two candidates

More explicit about the number of candidates involved, maintaining grammatical correctness.

among the candidates

Suitable when referring to more than two candidates, shifting the focus from a pairwise comparison.

involving both candidates

Focuses on the action or situation that includes both candidates.

with both candidates participating

Highlights the participation of both candidates in a specific event or situation.

concerning the candidates

General alternative applicable to situations where the focus is on subjects that relates to candidates.

in relation to both candidates

Focuses on how something relates to both candidates, emphasizing connection or relevance.

regarding the candidates

Emphasizes the aspect of consideration or discussion about candidates.

in connection with the candidates

Used when referring to the associations of the candidates to an issue.

in terms of the candidates

When expressing something from the candidates' point of view.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "between both candidates"?

The phrase "between both candidates" is redundant. The word "between" is used to refer to two distinct entities, making the word "both" unnecessary. It's better to say /s/between+the+candidates.

How to use "between" correctly when referring to candidates?

When discussing two candidates, use "between the candidates" or, if you want to be more explicit, "between the two candidates". For example, "The debate highlighted the differences "between the candidates"".

Is it ever correct to use "among both candidates"?

No, "among" is used when referring to three or more entities. When referring to only two candidates, always use "between". If there were more than two you would say "among the candidates".

What can I say instead of "between both candidates"?

Use "between the candidates" or "between the two candidates". Alternatively, rephrase the sentence to use a different structure, such as "involving both candidates" or "concerning the candidates".