both of us left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both of us left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two people, including the speaker, have departed from a location or situation. Example: "After the meeting ended, both of us left the room together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Both of us left our jobs, with an uncertain future and three mortgages," referring to the couple's beachfront house in the Pines, their Bond Street apartment and the Madison.

The New York Times

"It was not until both of us left the House and came to the Senate that we developed a different kind of relationship and friendship that, frankly, most senators don't have the opportunity to do," Mr. Craig said of Mr. Lott.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"A lot of us left.

The New York Times

There are a few of us left.

Huffington Post

We finally met only through a mutual friend, long after both of us had left to others the pleasures of extolling America's four-wheeled sweethearts.

The New Yorker

Years later, after both of us had left CBS, Cronkite's longtime executive producer bought a few drinks, and we gossiped about the news business.

Huffington Post

For both of us, just leaving our homes was a challenge.

Vice

Actually, all night in between both of us demurely leaving the room "to pee"/a.k.a.a

Vice

But along with the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge to the west, it's always represented an escape, the route out to the Belt and Southern State Parkways, to Kennedy Airport and the Whitestone, the exit both of us took when leaving home for college.

The New York Times

Some of us never left.

The New York Times

The moving boxes and crates had followed us from places where there really was war: the Ivory Coast, Iraq, Sarajevo and Afghanistan, and were filled with remnants of the life that both of us were trying to leave behind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both of us left" when you want to clearly indicate that two specific individuals, including yourself, departed from a place or situation. Ensure the context provides clarity on where and why you both left.

Common error

Avoid using "both of us left" when referring to a larger group. If more than two people left, use phrases like "some of us left" or "many of us left" for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of us left" functions as a declarative statement. It asserts a factual event: the departure of two individuals, including the speaker, from a specific place or situation. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both of us left" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the departure of two individuals, including the speaker. Ludwig confirms this, highlighting its prevalent usage in the news and media, along with scientific sources. When you need to specify two people have departed a scene, situation or place, "both of us left" is a great choice. To avoid ambiguity, clarify the context of the departure. The alternatives such as "we both departed" and "we went away" can be used depending on the nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we both departed

Replaces "left" with a more formal synonym, "departed".

both of us went away

Replaces "left" with "went away".

we quitted together

Uses "quitted" to mean left, emphasizing a voluntary departure and adds the adverb 'together'.

the two of us exited

Replaces "left" with "exited" and "both of us" with "the two of us".

we jointly abandoned

Uses "abandoned", suggesting leaving something behind and emphasizing the joint action.

we have both gone away

Emphasizes a state of being away, rather than the action of leaving.

we vacated the premises

More formal and specific, implying leaving a place or property.

we took our leave

A more polite and formal way of saying we left.

we separated and left

Highlights the act of separation before leaving.

we jointly withdrew

Implies a deliberate removal or retreat from a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "both of us left" to describe a situation where you and another person departed from a location or situation. For example: "After the meeting, "both of us left" the office."

What are some alternatives to saying "both of us left"?

Alternatives include "we both departed", "the two of us exited", or "we went away", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "both of us left"?

Yes, "both of us left" is grammatically correct. It clearly indicates that two people, including the speaker, departed.

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

"Both of us left" indicates that exactly two people departed. "All of us left" means that everyone in a group departed.