both happy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both happy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two people or things that share the same emotional state of happiness. Example: "After receiving the good news, they were both happy to celebrate together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were both happy.

The Guardian - Travel

Now you're both happy.

The Guardian - Tech

He sounded both happy and proud.

The New Yorker

Daniel Mansdorf was both happy and unhappy.

The New York Times

Alexander is both happy and amazed at his idea's success.

The Guardian

"You have to keep them both happy," she said.

The New York Times

In the end, that made us both happy.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think we were both happy as well".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think they are both happy the ways things are," Ms. Schmidt said.

The New York Times

We're both happy to still be involved in getting so far.

Independent

Presumably, many people manage to be both happy and liberal, at least by our standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both happy" to clearly convey that two subjects share a feeling of happiness. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what "both" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "both happy" when referring to more than two subjects. If multiple subjects are happy, use phrases like "all happy" or "everyone is happy" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both happy" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a subject by indicating a shared emotional state of happiness. Ludwig examples show it describing people, groups, or even abstract concepts (like decisions) experiencing shared joy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both happy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase for expressing shared happiness between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms that it's widely accepted across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance clarity, ensure that the reference of "both" is clear and unmistakable. If you are referring to more than two subjects, consider using alternatives like "all happy". Although, the query is already very common, alternatives such as "equally delighted", and "mutually pleased", can also be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally delighted

Emphasizes the equal level of delight experienced by both parties.

mutually pleased

Highlights the shared feeling of pleasure or satisfaction.

similarly content

Focuses on the similar state of contentment experienced by both.

correspondingly cheerful

Indicates a parallel sense of cheerfulness between two entities.

jointly satisfied

Emphasizes the collective satisfaction of both individuals.

in mutual agreement

Focuses on the shared agreement and positive feeling regarding a decision or situation.

on the same wavelength

Indicates a shared understanding and positive emotional alignment.

united in joy

Highlights the combined and shared experience of joy.

each fulfilled

Emphasizes the individual fulfillment experienced by each party.

collectively glad

Stresses the shared feeling of gladness or happiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "both happy" to describe a shared feeling between two subjects. For example, "After the successful negotiation, they were "both happy" with the outcome".

What are some alternatives to saying "both happy"?

Alternatives include "equally delighted", "mutually pleased", or "similarly content", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "both are happy" instead of "both happy"?

While "both happy" is commonly used, "both are happy" is grammatically more formal and complete. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "both happy" and "all happy"?

"Both happy" refers specifically to two subjects sharing the feeling of happiness, while "all happy" indicates that more than two subjects share this feeling. Use "both" only when referring to exactly two.