both

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'both' is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to two people or things or when referring to additional information. For example: "We are both excited to attend the party tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or both.

The New York Times

"Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.

The New York Times

Both efforts failed.

The New Yorker

To try to close down that debate prematurely is both arrogant and plain wrong".

The Guardian

I think they are both lurching left and right".

The Guardian

"I want to bring our country together, our United Kingdom together, not least by implementing as fast as we can the devolution that we rightly promised and came together with other parties to agree both for Wales and for Scotland.

The Guardian

Both the LOC and SAFA adhered to the necessary formalities for the budgetary amendment.

The Guardian - Sport

The future of the show's other two presenters - Hammond and May - is unclear, with both men's Top Gear contracts having run out.

The Guardian

Both men deny the charges.

The New York Times

Both men have denied the charges.

The New York Times

Both sides claimed victory.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both... and" to create a clear parallel structure, enhancing readability and emphasizing the connection between the two elements.

Common error

Avoid using "both" when referring to more than two items; use "all" or "each" instead to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The determiner "both" functions to quantify and specify exactly two items or entities. It clearly indicates that the statement applies to each of the two mentioned, as Ludwig's examples effectively demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

10%

Business

7%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Tech

3%

Travel

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both" is a versatile determiner used to refer to two specific items or entities collectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. When using "both", ensure it's clear what two items are being referred to, and use the "both...and" structure to enhance clarity. Avoid using "both" when referring to more than two items. Its neutral register makes it suitable for formal and informal communication, while its function is primarily to indicate inclusivity of two elements. The high frequency of "both" in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times further validates its common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

each of the two

Replaces "both" by explicitly stating that it refers to each of two items.

one and the other

Emphasizes the individual nature of the two items being referred to.

the two

A more concise way of referring to two items previously mentioned or implied.

the pair

Refers to two items considered as a unit or set.

respectively

Indicates that two or more items relate to two or more other items in the order they are presented.

mutually

Highlights the reciprocal or shared nature of an action or feeling between two parties.

together

Focuses on the combined or joint action of two entities.

in conjunction

Implies a cooperative or coordinated action between two elements.

as well as

Indicates that something is included in addition to something else.

along with

Similar to "as well as", suggesting an accompaniment or addition.

FAQs

How do I use "both" correctly in a sentence?

Use "both" to refer to two specific things or people. For example, "both John and Mary are attending the meeting." Ensure that the sentence structure is parallel for clarity.

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

"Both" refers to two things collectively, while "each" refers to individual items within a group of two or more. Use "both" when you want to talk about two things together, and "each" when you want to emphasize individuality.

Can I use "both" with plural nouns?

Yes, you can use "both" with plural nouns to refer to two specific groups or sets. For example, "Both the teams played very well."

What alternatives can I use instead of "both" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use alternatives like "each of the two" or "one and the other" to maintain a formal tone while conveying the same meaning.