both of the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both of the same" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express that two items share a common characteristic or are identical in some way. Example: "The twins are both of the same height, making them look very similar."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

We are both of the same opinion".

The Guardian - Sport

The real part and imaginary part are either both rational or both of the same float type.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I said, 'Are you sure you're both of the same mind?' I sensed a large element of fantasy in it.

The New Yorker

The top two candidates then proceed to the general election, even if they are both of the same party.

The Economist

(The statesman Pericles and the gorgeous Alcibiades were both of the same family as Cleisthenes, the aristocrat credited with Athens's democratic reforms).

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Tran, 42, and Yong Ae Cha, 47, both of the same Queens address, were indicted on prostitution, unlicensed massage and conspiracy charges in September.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

We were both transplants from the same West Coast city, both snowboarders, both fans of the same football team.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, a lot of Target's merchandise — like cold grocery items and clothing — are not available through both of the same-day services like Drive Up or Shipt.

TechCrunch

Three in five Black female same-sex households (61percentt) include at least one child of one or both of the same-sex partners.

Huffington Post

In this case, increased spending and monetary expansion are both parts of the same process.

The New York Times

"Fascists and Islamists, they are both sides of the same coin," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "both of the same" with more grammatically sound alternatives like "both identical" or "both alike" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "both of the same" when intending to express similarity or identity. Opt for clearer phrasing to prevent grammatical errors and ensure accurate communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of the same" functions incorrectly as a determiner phrase attempting to express that two entities share an identical characteristic. Ludwig AI indicates it is not correct in standard written English, though usage examples show it appears across varied sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "both of the same" is frequently encountered, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose is to indicate that two entities share a common attribute or are identical; however, using grammatically sound alternatives such as "both identical" or "both alike" will improve your writing by increasing clarity. Despite its frequent use in different source types and contexts, it's best to avoid using this phrase in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both identical

This alternative uses a single adjective to convey complete equivalence.

both alike

This alternative employs a simple adjective to denote similarity.

same for both

This alternative reverses the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

equal for both

This alternative uses "equal" to highlight that the characteristics are equivalent.

both equivalent

This alternative indicates that the two things are functionally the same.

the same with both

This alternative inverts the wording, emphasizing the shared attribute.

both are similar

This alternative explicitly states the similarity between the two.

both are uniform

This alternative conveys consistency and lack of variation between the two.

both correspond

This alternative describes a matching relationship.

both match

This alternative suggests that the two align or agree with each other.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "both of the same"?

The phrase "both of the same" is grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives such as "both identical" or "both alike".

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

You could say, "The twins' fingerprints are both identical, making it impossible to tell them apart using that method".

Is "both identical" always the best replacement for "both of the same"?

Not always. The best replacement depends on the context. Sometimes, a phrase like "both alike" or simply "the same" might be more appropriate.

What are some other situations where I might use "both alike" instead of "both of the same"?

You can use "both alike" when describing qualities or characteristics that are similar but not necessarily exactly the same. For example, "Their personalities are both alike, making them get along very well".