both of those

USAGE SUMMARY

"both of those" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to two things that have been mentioned previously in a sentence. For example: "We could go to the beach or to the park - both of those sound like fun!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's both of those".

The Guardian

Both of those are necessary.

The New Yorker

"Both of those are at risk".

The New York Times

I love both of those movies.

Independent

I fell victim to both of those".

The New York Times - Sports

Both of those characters were incredible.

The Guardian - Film

Both of those overlap the "Salinger" showing.

The New York Times

Mr. Mazer hired both of those companies.

The New York Times

Both of those statements are true.

The New York Times

Both of those teams play in M.L.S.

The New York Times - Sports

I think both of those are terrific.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the reference for "both of those" is clear in the preceding context. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly mentioning the two items or concepts before using the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "both of those" if the items being referred to are not immediately obvious. This can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of those" functions as a demonstrative pronoun phrase, referring to two specific entities previously mentioned or understood in the context. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used in written and spoken English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sports

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both of those" is a demonstrative pronoun phrase used to refer back to two previously mentioned items or concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. With a neutral register, it is suitable for both formal and informal communication, though clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. The examples from Ludwig highlight its common usage in news, media, and general conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of them

Replaces "those" with "them", a more general pronoun, resulting in a slight shift in specificity.

the two of them

Emphasizes the number 'two' and uses the pronoun 'them' instead of 'those'.

those two

Inverts the word order, placing the demonstrative adjective before the numeral.

both items

Substitutes "those" with the noun "items", making the phrase more explicit and slightly more formal.

both aspects

Replaces "those" with "aspects", specifying a particular type of thing that is being referred to.

the aforementioned two

A more formal alternative using "aforementioned" to indicate prior mention of the two items.

these two things

Uses "these" to indicate items closer in proximity or time and specifies "things".

each of those

Focuses on the individual items within the set of two, implying a separate consideration.

the pair of them

Uses "pair" to emphasize the two items as a set, replacing "those" with "them".

both aforementioned

Shortens the phrase, omitting 'of those' while still referencing items previously mentioned, making it slightly more concise and formal.

FAQs

How do I use "both of those" in a sentence?

Use "both of those" to refer back to two specific items or ideas that you have already mentioned. For instance, "We could try option A or option B. "Both of those" seem viable".

What are some alternatives to saying "both of those"?

You can use alternatives like "both of them", "those two", or "the two of them" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "both of those"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "both of those" is a common and accepted way to refer to two specific items or ideas previously mentioned.

What's the difference between "both of these" and "both of those"?

"Both of these" refers to items that are near or present, while "both of those" refers to items that are farther away or have already been discussed. The choice depends on the context and proximity of the items being referenced.