both houses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both houses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two legislative chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States. Example: "The bill was passed by both houses of Congress before being sent to the President for approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both houses were spared.

The New Yorker

Republicans captured both houses.

The New York Times

Both Houses of Congress arrived.

The New Yorker

The Republicans control both houses.

The Economist

The house — both houses.

The New York Times

You have both houses of Congress.

The New York Times

"It passed both houses of Congress.

The New York Times

Voting for both houses is compulsory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Republicans control both houses of the Legislature.

The New York Times

The measure passed unanimously in both houses.

The New York Times

His party dominates both houses of Congress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific legislative body like the US Congress, clarify whether you mean "both houses" (Senate and House of Representatives) or specify each chamber individually for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "both houses" without clearly establishing what "houses" refers to. Ensure your audience understands whether you mean legislative bodies, residential buildings, or something else entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both houses" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying that two distinct legislative or physical structures are being referred to collectively. This usage is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show it appearing in diverse contexts such as political discussions and architectural descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both houses" is a versatile phrase used to collectively refer to two legislative or physical structures. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used in news, encyclopedias, and academic contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying which "houses" you are referring to and choose semantically similar alternatives such as "both chambers" or "the two houses" depending on the desired level of formality and specificity. Given its widespread use and contextual flexibility, "both houses" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both chambers

Replaces "houses" with "chambers", offering a more formal and specific term for legislative bodies.

both legislative bodies

More explicitly defines "houses" as legislative entities, suitable for formal contexts.

the two houses

Adds a definite article for emphasis or when the houses have been previously mentioned.

both buildings

More general term referring to any two physical structures, not necessarily legislative.

the two buildings

Similar to "both buildings" but includes a definite article, suggesting specificity.

both residences

Replaces houses with residences, suitable when referring to dwellings.

the two residences

Adds a definite article to "both residences", implying specific dwellings.

the senate and the house

Specifies the two chambers of a bicameral legislature, like the US Congress.

both parliamentary chambers

Explicitly refers to parliamentary legislative bodies.

both congressional bodies

Similar to "both parliamentary chambers", but specific to a congress.

FAQs

What does "both houses" refer to in the context of the US government?

In the context of the US government, "both houses" typically refers to the Senate and the House of Representatives, which together make up the Congress.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "both houses"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase "both houses" when you want to refer to two legislative bodies or two physical structures collectively, without specifying each one individually. For more formal context you can consider "both chambers".

What can I say instead of "both houses" when referring to the legislative branch?

You can use alternatives like "both chambers" or "both legislative bodies" for a more formal tone. If referring to buildings you can consider "both buildings".

Is there a difference between saying "both houses" and "the two houses"?

The difference is subtle; "both houses" emphasizes the collective nature, while "the two houses" implies a specific, previously identified pair. You can analyze both options to decide which fits better in the sentence.