both but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both but" is not correct and does not work in written English.
It is generally not used because "both" implies a conjunction of two items, while "but" introduces a contrast, creating a logical inconsistency. Example: "I like both apples but prefer oranges." (This is incorrect usage.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She definitely said both – but when?

The Guardian - Opinion

Konoplyanka takes both, but nothing comes from either.

The Guardian - Sport

There are occasional sightings of both, but then they vanish.

The New York Times

Some players dislike both, but they dislike paying upfront too.

The Guardian - Tech

It may be both, but does it make a difference?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Scotty coached and managed them both, but that's it.

The New York Times

I love them both, but it has to be Ash.

The Guardian

Perhaps both, but the courts will have to decide).

The New Yorker

We all loved them both, but one had to win.

The Guardian - Books

I like both, but they're very different worlds.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes you'll do both -- but stay strong.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "both but" in your writing. It's grammatically incorrect. Use "both and" or a similar construction to connect two related ideas.

Common error

Don't mistakenly use "but" after "both". Remember that "both" indicates a combination, so use a conjunction like "and" to correctly link the elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both but" is an attempt to connect two elements, but it fails grammatically. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not a correct phrase. A more appropriate structure would use "both and" to combine elements, not contrast them.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both but" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As indicated by Ludwig AI, "both but" attempts to combine two elements while simultaneously introducing a contrast, which leads to a logical contradiction. To express the intended meaning of combining two items, use "both and" or other suitable alternatives like "not only... but also". Remember to consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrase for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both and

Replaces "but" with "and" to indicate a combination rather than a contrast.

both yet

Replaces "but" with "yet" to introduce a mild contrast after stating "both".

not only... but also

Offers a more formal way to present two combined aspects.

as well as

Simplifies the combination of two elements.

in conjunction with

Indicates that two things are used or exist together.

together with

Presents two elements as a unit.

inclusive of

Highlights that something includes both elements.

comprising both

Formally states that something consists of both elements.

encompassing both

Indicates a broader inclusion of both items.

integrating both

Emphasizes the combination and incorporation of the two elements.

FAQs

Why is "both but" considered grammatically incorrect?

The word "both" implies a conjunction of two items, while "but" introduces a contrast. This creates a logical inconsistency. It's better to use "both and" to correctly connect related elements.

What are some alternatives to using "both but"?

Instead of "both but", you can use phrases like "both and", "not only... but also", or "as well as" depending on the intended meaning.

Is there any situation where "both but" would be appropriate?

No, "both but" is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. It's always preferable to use a different construction to express the intended relationship between the elements.

How does using "both and" differ from "both but"?

Using "both and" indicates that two things are being combined or considered together. In contrast, "both but" attempts to introduce a contrast where a combination is expected, resulting in a grammatically incorrect phrase.