both fails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both fails" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to indicate that two subjects or items have failed, but it requires a clearer context or structure to be grammatically correct. Example: "In this experiment, both fails to meet the required standards."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the process should go forward even if one government, or both, fails to embrace it.

The New York Times

It offered £285, but it prefers you have an MOT lasting at least one month and two sets of keys – both fails for my Alfa.

The Guardian - Money

The moment was not, as Theron seemed to understand it, about Davis having low self-esteem or seeing herself as less beautiful than Berry, but about understanding how the Hollywood system both fails to create roles for black women – especially those with dark skin – and see black women inhabiting roles not specifically created for them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"While we welcome action by the House on student loans, we have concerns about an approach that both fails to guarantee low rates for students on July 1 and asks too many of them to bear the burden of deficit reduction through unaffordable rates," said the statement, from a spokesman, Matt Lehrich.

The New York Times

Note that if either one of both fails, the entire transmission cycle was flagged as failed.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

[Standby for a completely unprofessional reaction that both fails to adequately sum up the fascinating cultural implications of this video and gives you no useful information.].

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Both failed.

The New York Times

Both failed miserably.

Forbes

Both failed early.

The New York Times - Sports

Both failed in 1918.

The New Yorker

Both failed to interest consumers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If expressing an ongoing state of failure, consider "both are failing" to highlight the continuous nature of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "both fails" as it violates subject-verb agreement. Always use the plural form of the verb after "both". For instance, use alternatives like "both fail", "both have failed" or "both are failing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both fails" functions as a conjunction phrase aiming to express that two entities or attempts are unsuccessful. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it is not considered standard written English and it violates subject-verb agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "both fails" appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's crucial to recognize that it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct usage should be either "both fail", "both are failing", or "both have failed", depending on the intended context and tense. When writing, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider the alternatives provided to clearly and accurately express the intended meaning. Be cautious of using this phrase in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both fail

Corrects the verb conjugation to match the plural subject "both".

both are failing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the failure.

both have failed

Indicates a completed action of failing.

they both fail

Rephrases to clarify the subject.

both are unsuccessful

Substitutes "fails" with a synonym maintaining a formal tone.

both are not working

Replaces "fails" with a more general term emphasizing functionality.

both do not succeed

Uses more formal and emphatic vocabulary.

both are ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness.

neither succeeds

Shifts focus to the lack of success of either option.

both options are failing

Clarifies "both" refers to options with a continuous tense.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "both" when referring to a failure?

Instead of saying "both fails", which is grammatically incorrect, you should say "both fail" if it's a general statement, or "both have failed" if it happened in the past.

What are some alternatives to "both fails"?

Alternatives include "both are failing", "neither succeeds", or "both are unsuccessful", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "both fails" grammatically correct?

No, "both fails" is not grammatically correct. "Both" is a plural term, so it should be followed by the plural form of the verb, which is "both fail".

What's the difference between "both fail" and "both have failed"?

"Both fail" implies a general or habitual occurrence, while "both have failed" indicates that they failed at some point in the past.