both of which are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both of which are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two previous items that have been mentioned in the same sentence or paragraph. For example, "We will be bringing two different kinds of cookies to the party, both of which are vegan-friendly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Both of which are perfectly brilliant places to be.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fans will be familiar with a couple of tracks already, both of which are surprising.

The Guardian - Music

Accurate diagnosis takes time and resources, both of which are in short supply in today's NHS.

The Guardian

There are two basic theories, both of which are partially true, I think.

The New Yorker

You know, like no-makeup makeup or bed hair, both of which are incredibly lame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Diamonds and graphite, both of which are pure carbon, are the world's most renowned polymorphs.

The New Yorker

Among them are Arizona and Georgia, both of which are home to burgeoning minority populations.

The Guardian

The company also bottles water in Arizona and Oregon, both of which are also experiencing droughts.

The Guardian

Already two interesting hypotheses have emerged, both of which are about corporate cultures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I ordered a beer and chicken soup, both of which are served everywhere all day.

The Guardian - Travel

The only fees are for application and examination processing--both of which are nominal.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both of which are", ensure the items you're referring to are clearly identifiable to avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "both of which is" when referring to plural nouns. Always ensure subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of which are" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about two previously mentioned nouns or noun phrases. It serves to connect these nouns to a descriptive clause, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both of which are" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause. It serves to provide additional information about two previously mentioned items, finding common usage in a wide array of contexts, especially within News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and effective way to connect related information and maintain a smooth flow in writing. Pay attention, however, to avoid the common mistake of mismatched plurality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of those are

Replaces "which" with "those", focusing on the items themselves rather than their characteristics.

both of them are

Uses a pronoun to refer back to the two items, emphasizing the items more directly.

both elements are

Specifies the items as "elements", suitable in contexts where they are components of something.

both aspects are

Refers to the items as "aspects", useful when discussing features or perspectives.

each of which is

Shifts the focus to individual items within a larger group, rather than just two specific items.

each of those is

Similar to "each of which is", this phrase emphasizes the individual nature of the items.

in both cases

Focuses on the situations or scenarios being discussed, rather than the items themselves.

and these are

Simplifies the construction, omitting "which" for a more direct connection.

and they are

Offers a simpler, more direct connection, suitable for informal contexts.

in either instance

Implies that only one of the previous two items is relevant at a time.

FAQs

How can I use "both of which are" in a sentence?

Use "both of which are" to provide additional information about two items previously mentioned in the sentence. For example, "I bought a car and a motorcycle, both of which are red."

What is a good alternative to "both of which are"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include phrases like "both of those are", "both of them are", or "each of which is".

Is it grammatically correct to say "both of which is" instead of "both of which are"?

No, "both of which is" is grammatically incorrect. Since "both" refers to two items, the verb must be plural: "both of which are".

What's the difference between "both of which are" and "each of which is"?

"Both of which are" refers specifically to two items, while "each of which is" refers to multiple items, focusing on them individually. Use "each of which is" when referring to a group larger than two.