both apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both apply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that two or more items or conditions are relevant or applicable in a given context. Example: "In this case, both apply: the rules of the game and the guidelines for fair play."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Although the DT scheme and our proposed scheme both apply an adaptive manner for their BR strategies, there are two essential differences which lead to their dissimilar performances.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Although Illumia Soxlea and ABI SOLiD both apply sequencing by synthesis strategy to generated RNA-Seq reads, Soxlea platform could identify one nucleotide at each fluorescence scanning, while SOLiD could identify two nucleotides.

BMC Medical Genomics

Taken together these studies illustrate that bodily experience cannot be separated from elements such as cultural knowledge, social relations and social positioning, hence interpretative skills both apply meaning to sensations and fundamentally define how sensations are experienced [ 24, 25].

BMC Health Services Research

Both apply in Afghanistan in summer months.

The Economist

Both apply European pyrotechnics with American innocence.

The New York Times - Arts

Both apply for a job in management; Cynthia gets it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Hazel Blears and the singer Mika both applied the expression to themselves pre-emptively.

The Guardian

United and US Airways have both applied in the last month.

The New York Times

Both applied the treble-dominated style of plainsong.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But both applied their passion into the project.

The New York Times

They shared another experience when they both applied to work at Facebook and were rejected.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both apply", ensure that it's clear what the 'both' refers to, to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'The rules are important, both apply', clarify by saying 'Both rules apply'.

Common error

Avoid using "both apply" when the items being referred to are not immediately clear in the context. This can lead to confusion and require the reader to guess what 'both' is referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both apply" functions as a conjunctional phrase indicating that two distinct elements or conditions are simultaneously relevant or valid. As indicated by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both apply" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the simultaneous relevance or validity of two distinct items or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in scientific and news-related contexts, but clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. When using "both apply", ensure the context clearly identifies what 'both' refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both are applicable

Changes the verb from "apply" to "are applicable", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

both hold true

Replaces "apply" with "hold true", implying that two statements or conditions are valid.

both are relevant

Substitutes "apply" with "are relevant", emphasizing the pertinence of multiple factors.

both are valid

Uses "are valid" instead of "apply", suggesting that multiple options or solutions are acceptable.

both considerations matter

Highlights the importance of multiple elements that should be taken into account.

both conditions are met

Specifies that two or more requirements have been satisfied, making a situation permissible.

both requirements are satisfied

Similar to "both conditions are met", but emphasizes the fulfillment of necessities.

each applies

Uses "each" to ensure that something refers to every individual thing in the group.

these each apply

This alternative adds "these" at the beginning to emphasize the scope of the phrase and make it more precise.

all are in effect

Indicates that multiple laws, rules, or directives are currently operative and binding.

FAQs

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

Use "both apply" to indicate that two conditions, rules, or descriptions are valid or relevant in a given situation. For instance, "The safety regulations and the company policies are crucial; "both are applicable"".

What are some alternatives to "both apply"?

Alternatives to "both apply" include "both are relevant", "both hold true", or "both are valid". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "both apply" or "both are applicable"?

"Both are applicable" is generally considered more formal than "both apply". "Both apply" is suitable for most contexts, while "both are applicable" is preferable in formal or technical writing.

How do I ensure clarity when using "both apply"?

To ensure clarity, make sure the context clearly identifies what the "both" refers to. For example, instead of "The requirements are important, both apply", specify, "Both the technical and legal requirements apply".