both are good

USAGE SUMMARY

"both are good" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two entities and both of them are in a positive light. For example, "Both the baked chicken and the vegetable stir fry are good choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Both are good stories.

The New York Times - Sports

So both are good.

The Guardian

Both are good putters.

The New York Times - Sports

Both are good looking.

The New York Times

Both are good at what they do.

The Guardian - Sport

Both are good in the air.

The Guardian - Sport

Both are good choices for visitors.

The New York Times - Travel

Both are good signs for Mr. McCain.

The New York Times

We should not care who is a Democrat and a Republican — both are good people, both are good parties.

The New Yorker

Both are good, but you have to know what you're doing".

The New York Times

Both are good lawyers; both are pleasant people who like pleasant things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. While "both are good" is acceptable, consider alternatives like "both are excellent" or "both are satisfactory" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid overusing "both are good" as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Ensure the criteria for 'good' are clear to the reader; otherwise, the statement lacks impact. Instead of simply saying "both are good", specify what makes them good, for example: "Both solutions are good because they are cost-effective and sustainable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both are good" serves as a descriptive statement. It predicates a positive attribute to two previously mentioned or understood entities. Ludwig's examples confirm that it expresses approval or satisfaction with two distinct items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both are good" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey a positive assessment of two distinct items or options. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to express approval or satisfaction across various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and wiki-based content. While versatile, its neutrality suggests that alternative phrasing with stronger vocabulary could be preferred in formal or specialized settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both are fine

Uses a more casual and less emphatic synonym for "good".

both are acceptable

Replaces "good" with a term implying adequacy rather than excellence.

both are excellent

Replaces "good" with a stronger term indicating high quality.

both are adequate

Similar to "acceptable", suggesting the items meet the minimum requirements.

both are satisfactory

Substitutes "good" with a word indicating a basic level of fulfillment or acceptability.

both are effective

Focuses on the success or efficacy of the two items.

both are positive

Shifts the focus to the valence of the items rather than their quality.

both are valuable

Emphasizes the worth or usefulness of the two items.

both are beneficial

Highlights the advantageous nature of the two items.

both are worthwhile

Suggests that the two items justify the time or effort spent on them.

FAQs

How can I use "both are good" in a sentence?

Use "both are good" to express a positive evaluation of two distinct items or options. For instance, "The new software and the updated manual are both good."

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

You can use alternatives like "both are acceptable", "both are satisfactory", or "both are fine" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "both are good"?

Yes, "both are good" is grammatically correct. "Both" is a determiner that refers to two things, and "are good" is a predicate adjective describing those things.

What's the difference between "both are good" and "both are great"?

"Both are good" indicates a general positive assessment, while "both are great" suggests a higher degree of excellence or satisfaction.