both of us

USAGE SUMMARY

'both of us' is correct and usable in written English.
You use it when you are referring to two people who are in a group of people or a situation together. For example: We need to have a meeting to discuss this issue - both of us should be there.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For both of us".

The New York Times

From both of us!

The New York Times - Health

Search both of us.

The New Yorker

"Both of us return well.

Independent

Both of us bent double with laughter.

The New York Times - Books

Both of us wanted only one thing.

The New Yorker

Both of us had Irish Catholic childhoods.

The New York Times

Both of us were patriots of idealism.

The New York Times

Both of us walked as we talked.

The New York Times

Well, too bad for both of us.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was awful for both of us.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you use "both of us", ensure the context clearly indicates who the "us" refers to, especially if the audience isn't immediately aware of the individuals involved. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "both we" instead of "both of us" when "we" functions as the object of a preposition. "Both of us" is the correct form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of us" functions as a pronoun phrase, specifically an objective pronoun, used to refer to two people inclusively as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it in various contexts, indicating shared experiences, actions, or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both of us" is a grammatically correct and very common pronoun phrase used to refer inclusively to two individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. The phrase's neutral register allows for its use in a wide range of communication settings. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "the two of us" or "we both", while avoiding the incorrect form "both we". The authoritative sources and frequency of use highlight its significance in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two of us

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the numerical aspect of being a pair.

we both

This option changes the word order, placing the emphasis on the action or state shared by the two people.

us two

This is a more informal phrasing, suitable for casual conversation.

you and I

This alternative is grammatically precise, replacing the objective pronoun with subjective pronouns.

the pair of us

This emphasizes the concept of a pair, highlighting the bond or connection between the two individuals.

we jointly

This alternative stresses shared action or responsibility, implying a cooperative effort.

together we

This emphasizes the act of being together and is often used to highlight a unified effort or experience.

us included

This is a more inclusive phrasing that emphasizes that "we" are part of a larger group

the combined parties

This alternative is formal and emphasizes the combination of two separate entities.

mutually

This option focuses on the reciprocal nature of an action or feeling between the two people, rather than the people themselves.

FAQs

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

You can use "both of us" to indicate a shared experience, characteristic, or action. For example, "Both of us enjoy reading" or "The decision affected both of us."

What's a more formal alternative to "both of us"?

A more formal alternative is "the two of us". It emphasizes the number more explicitly and can be suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it ever correct to say "both we" instead of "both of us"?

No, "both we" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "both of us" when "we" is the object of a preposition. Use "we both" if you want to avoid "of."

What's the difference between "both of us" and "each of us"?

"Both of us" refers to a specific pair, while "each of us" implies that multiple individuals are acting or being considered separately within a larger group.