both colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two individuals who are coworkers or part of the same professional group. Example: "Both colleagues contributed significantly to the project, ensuring its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

This applies to both colleagues and managers.

The New York Times

"It is a wonderful way to be with people, both colleagues and students," she said.

The New York Times

Both colleagues and lawyers who have argued before her agree that her style is assertive.

The New York Times

A urologist in Brooklyn for 50 years, respected and beloved by both colleagues and patients alike.

The New York Times

The tender affection felt by both colleagues and audiences for the ballerina Nina Ananiashvili is extraordinary.

The New York Times - Arts

Both colleagues are now dead and were not interviewed by the Smith review team.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"They're both valued colleagues, they're both doing an excellent job.

BBC

James, platform analyst I've experienced discrimination at work, both from colleagues and customers.

The Guardian

Both his colleagues put up relatively restrained houses, although larger than most others.

The New York Times

Johnson paid tribute to both former colleagues and said he was "certainly consulted" by Greenhalgh on "personnel issues".

The Guardian

They said Mr. Reid was exhibiting a little too much patience with both his colleagues and the Republican opposition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both colleagues", ensure it's clear who the two individuals are being referred to. Providing context or names can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "both colleague" when referring to two individuals. The term "colleague" should be pluralized as "colleagues" when referring to more than one person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both colleagues" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a group of two individuals who share a professional association. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. The examples provided show it modifying nouns, indicating a specific subset of colleagues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both colleagues" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to two individuals working together. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for a variety of contexts, primarily in news and media, scientific research, and business communications. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the two colleagues in question for clarity. Consider alternatives like "the two coworkers" or "both team members" for slight variations in tone or emphasis. Be mindful of using the correct pluralization, avoiding the incorrect "both colleague". Overall, "both colleagues" is a reliable and effective way to specify a pair of coworkers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two colleagues

Replaces "both" with "the two", directly specifying the number of colleagues.

the two coworkers

Substitutes "colleagues" with "coworkers", offering a slightly more informal term for individuals working together.

both team members

Replaces "colleagues" with "team members", emphasizing their belonging to a team.

the aforementioned colleagues

Adds specificity by indicating the colleagues were previously mentioned.

the respective colleagues

Indicates that each colleague is related to something specific previously mentioned.

the involved colleagues

Highlights the colleagues' participation or involvement in a particular situation.

both fellow workers

Uses "fellow workers" instead of "colleagues", suggesting a sense of camaraderie.

the pair of colleagues

Emphasizes the colleagues as a pair, highlighting their unity or partnership.

both associates

Uses "associates" as a more general term for individuals connected through work.

the two professionals

Replaces "colleagues" with "professionals", emphasizing their professional status.

FAQs

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

You can use "both colleagues" to refer to two individuals who work together in a sentence like, "Both colleagues contributed to the project's success."

What is a more formal alternative to "both colleagues"?

A more formal alternative to "both colleagues" could be "the two professionals" or "the aforementioned colleagues", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "both of my colleagues" instead of "both colleagues"?

Yes, "both of my colleagues" is grammatically correct and adds a possessive aspect to the phrase. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "both colleagues" and "coworkers"?

"Both colleagues" and "coworkers" are largely interchangeable. However, "colleagues" often implies a more professional or academic setting, whereas "coworkers" is a more general term.