both of them

USAGE SUMMARY

"both of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a pronoun that is used to refer to two people, animals, or things that have been mentioned before in the same sentence or in a prior sentence. For example, "My siblings and I went to the store and both of them wanted to buy a toy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both of them laughed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Both of them had.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, both of them.

The New York Times

Both of them?

The New York Times

Both of them are obvious.

The New Yorker

He abandoned both of them.

The New York Times

I mean both of them.

The New Yorker

Good for both of them.

The New Yorker

Both of them were amused.

The New Yorker

He made both of them.

The New Yorker

Africa needs both of them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the referents of "both of them" are clearly established in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "John and Mary went to the store. Both of them bought apples", write "John and Mary went to the store. Both John and Mary bought apples".

Common error

Avoid using "both of them" when it's not immediately clear what two entities you are referring to. This can confuse the reader and weaken your writing. Reiterate who or what "both of them" represents, or specify each entity explicitly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "both of them" is as a pronoun phrase, serving as a substitute for two previously mentioned nouns or noun phrases. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it efficiently refers to a pair without repeating their names.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both of them" is a versatile and frequently used pronoun phrase that effectively refers to two previously mentioned entities. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions grammatically as a pronoun, enhancing cohesion and preventing redundancy. It is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While there might be more formal alternatives, its common usage and clarity ensure it remains a valuable part of written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two of them

Simple substitution using a more explicit determiner phrase. Slightly more formal.

the pair

Replaces "both of them" with a noun indicating a set of two.

the duo

Similar to "the pair", but often used for people, like musicians or actors.

the two individuals

More formal and specific, emphasizing the individual nature of the entities.

those two

Highlights the referenced items, but requires closer context.

the aforementioned two

Highly formal, suitable for academic or legal writing.

both parties

Used when specifically referencing two sides in an agreement or dispute.

the couple

Specifically refers to two individuals in a relationship.

the two entities

A very formal alternative suitable for legal or scientific contexts.

the two items

Useful when referencing objects rather than people.

FAQs

How can I use "both of them" in a sentence?

Use "both of them" to refer back to two people or things that have already been mentioned. For instance, "I invited John and Mary, and "both of them" said they would come".

What's the difference between "both of them" and "the two of them"?

While both phrases mean the same thing, "the two of them" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "both of them". In most contexts, though, they are interchangeable.

Is it ever incorrect to use "both of them"?

It's incorrect if the referents are unclear or haven't been previously established. For example, saying "Both of them are coming" without specifying who you are referring to would be confusing.

What are some alternatives to "both of them"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the pair", "the duo", or "the two individuals". The best choice depends on the level of formality and the specific context.