both lads

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both lads" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two boys or young men, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "Both lads played exceptionally well in the match yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Both lads stare straight ahead, looking slightly bewildered.

The Guardian

Both lads are positioned well, at -4 and -3 respectively.

The Guardian - Sport

I spoke to both lads when I was over watching the Baltic Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

After five sets, Kiefer cramped, lost and waved operatically to a crowd that seemed to get over the fact that both lads were not Yanks.

The New York Times - Sports

Sadly, there's 90 minutes of our future heroes (the unmemorably interchangeable Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) growing up and meeting nurse Kate Beckinsale (far too classy for both lads and script).

The Guardian - Film

Jim raises the hue and cry, another rooftop chase ensues, and both lads, who have become much more Artful Dodger than Oliver Twist, mesmerize Buster into submission with yo-yo tricks.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If you ignore the existence of Steve Aoki, Tiësto, both the lads out of Daft Punk and almost certainly some Dutch 22-year-old whose entire career has boomed and busted in the time since I started this sentence, the two biggest are: Calvin Harris (Scotland) and Diplo (United States).

The Guardian - Music

"He was playing against John O'Shea and Younes Kaboul, both 6ft 2in, both strong lads, both physical.

Independent

Unknown to both, Lad had died in his sleep and the Master and Mistress were crying over his body on the veranda.

Wikipedia

Both LAD-aFL and LS-FL method are applied to all three models.

BMC Genomics

The current study included a proportion of patients with collateral circulation, patients with a wide range of ischemic times, and patients with both LAD and non-LAD infarctions (the latter representing usually smaller areas at risk).

Basic Research in Cardiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both lads" in informal contexts to refer to two young males, especially when a friendly or familiar tone is desired. It is often used in British English.

Common error

Avoid using "both lads" in formal or professional writing; opt for more neutral terms like "the two boys" or "the two young men".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both lads" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying two young males. Ludwig examples show its use in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both lads" is a phrase used to refer to two young males, primarily in British English. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It's most appropriate in informal contexts, such as casual conversations or descriptive narratives, but should be avoided in formal or professional settings where more neutral terms like "the two boys" or "the two young men" are preferred. Ludwig examples confirm its frequent use in news and media sources. While common, it's important to consider the audience and context to ensure its appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the pair of lads

Emphasizes the pairing or association.

the two boys

More formal and general, lacking the colloquial tone.

both fellows

Slightly more formal and less common.

the two young men

More formal and emphasizes maturity.

both guys

More common in American English.

the two kids

Highlights their immaturity or young age.

the two chaps

British slang, similar in tone but regionally specific.

both blokes

Informal British slang.

the two youths

Emphasizes youthfulness and can sometimes imply a legal context.

the pair

A very concise way to refer to the two, implying they are already known to the listener.

FAQs

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

You can use "both lads" to refer to two young males in informal contexts. For example: "Both lads played well in the football match" or "I saw both lads at the park today."

What's a more formal alternative to "both lads"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using "the two boys" or "the two young men" instead of "both lads".

Is "both lads" appropriate for academic writing?

No, "both lads" is generally not appropriate for academic writing. It is best to use more formal and neutral language such as "the two students" or "the two participants".

What is the difference between "both lads" and "both guys"?

"Both lads" is more common in British English, while "both guys" is more common in American English. They both refer to two young males.