both of the students

USAGE SUMMARY

"both of the students" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like: "Both of the students finished their assignments early."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They were able to administer hot sauce to one or both of the students, which would cause them pain and make them less likely to pass.

Independent

Both of the students were regular passengers on the 55-year old's bus routes.

Huffington Post

This was required both of the students and of the clinicians.

BMC Medical Education

(social worker) "Both of the students were able to reflect on the thinking routine and explain how it had helped to guide their assessment of the infant".

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Both know all of the students.

The New York Times

Thirty-three prered (pre- and postinstruction) tests were rated by three raters blind to both the identity of the students and the pre/post status of the test (the scoring rubric is provided in Appendix E in the Supplemental Material).

CBE Life Sciences Education

"It was an environment of strong, independent women, both the students and the professors.

The New Yorker

They were both members of the student scuba-diving club, and Ms. Rynearson was in charge of the diving equipment.

The New York Times

The high point of her tenure was the uprising of 1968 when, running from the tear gas, she wrote in admiration of both the physical courage of the students against police charges and the substance of their cause.

The Guardian

More generally, the use of conceptual assessment need not be elaborate or time-consuming to inform both students and instructor of the students' current level of understanding.

CBE Life Sciences Education

After experience with both modules, 86% of the students gave a response that was at least partially correct.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is crucial, use "both of the students" to explicitly indicate that you are referring to two specific students, especially when there might be more students in a group.

Common error

Be careful not to use "both of the students" when referring to more than two students, as it creates confusion. Use "all of the students" or "the students" instead if you're referring to a larger group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of the students" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying exactly two individuals within a larger group. As shown in Ludwig, this determiner phrase is used to precisely identify the subjects of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both of the students" is a grammatically sound phrase used to specifically refer to two students within a context where more students might be present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its primary function is to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "the two students" or "both students" exist, "both of the students" offers explicit specification. The phrase finds common usage in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, according to Ludwig's example sentences. It is crucial to use it accurately, ensuring it indeed refers to exactly two students, to maintain clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two students

Replaces "both of" with "the two", emphasizing the specific number.

the pair of students

Uses "pair" to refer to the two students, offering a slightly more formal tone.

both students

Omits "of the" for a more concise phrasing.

each of the two students

Focuses on the individual students, rather than the group.

the two aforementioned students

Emphasizes that the students have been previously mentioned.

the two pupils

Substitutes "students" with "pupils", appropriate in certain educational contexts.

the two learners

Replaces "students" with "learners", highlighting their role in learning.

the two individuals in the class

Provides a more descriptive alternative using "individuals" and specifying "in the class".

a couple of students

Uses "a couple of" instead of specifying "both", implying a similar meaning.

the said students

Adds a formal tone to the sentence.

FAQs

How can I use "both of the students" in a sentence?

You can use "both of the students" to specify that two particular students are being referred to. For instance, "Both of the students excelled in the exam", or "both of the students were late to class today.

What phrases are similar to "both of the students"?

Similar phrases include "the two students", "both students", or "the pair of students". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "both of the students"?

Yes, "both of the students" is grammatically correct. It clearly indicates that you are referring to two specific students from a larger group or context.

When should I use "both students" instead of "both of the students"?

While both are correct, "both students" is more concise and often preferred when the context makes it clear which students are being referred to. Use "both of the students" for added emphasis or clarity.