both of whom

USAGE SUMMARY

"both of whom" is correct and usable.
It is used when referring to two previously-mentioned people. For example, "We had dinner with the Smiths, both of whom were very friendly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They raised two children, both of whom went to Harvard.

The New York Times

KIM and STEPHEN E. BEPLER, both of whom were honored.

The New York Times

Both of whom, I'm assuming, will make full recoveries.

The Guardian - Sport

Galliano has two sisters, both of whom live in London.

The New Yorker

She bore him two sons, both of whom died young.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two batsmen, both of whom are younger than Marsh and both of whom possess better first-class records than Marsh, have suffered more than most.

The Guardian - Sport

The antiviral drug ZMapp was given to two U.S. patients, both of whom have recovered.

Harvard University

His roommates included Lloyd Shapley and John Nash, both of whom later became co-authors.

Yale University

3) Pepi, with her TWO sons, both of whom are named Rashepses.

Harvard University

Same thing that my parents did, both of whom grew up during the depression.

University of California, Berkeley

Their bodies are discovered by the boy's parents, both of whom are college professors.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both of whom" when referring back to two specific people already mentioned in the text to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "both of which" when referring to people; "whom" is the correct relative pronoun for people, while "which" is for things.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both of whom" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about two individuals previously mentioned. It connects a main clause with a subordinate clause that gives more detail about those two people. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both of whom" is a relative pronoun construction used to provide additional information about two previously mentioned people. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage in formal writing, especially in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. While alternatives like "both of them" exist, using "both of whom" demonstrates a command of formal English. Remember to avoid using "both of which" when referring to people. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively enhance your writing with this useful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of them

Uses a pronoun instead of a relative pronoun; less formal.

the two of whom

Adds an article for emphasis or clarity.

the pair of whom

Emphasizes the pair as a unit.

of whom both

Inverts the phrase order; less common and more formal.

the two people, who

A more descriptive and less concise alternative.

both who

A simplified version, grammatically incorrect but sometimes used in informal contexts.

and they both

Rephrases as a conjunction and pronoun.

both individuals

Replaces 'whom' with 'individuals', emphasizing individual identity.

each of whom

Refers to individuals separately rather than as a pair.

both parties

Replaces 'whom' with 'parties', typically in formal or legal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "both of whom" to refer back to two people previously mentioned in your sentence or a prior sentence. For example, "John and Mary went to the store, both of whom bought apples."

Is it correct to say "both who" instead of "both of whom"?

While "both who" might be used informally, "both of whom" is the grammatically correct and preferred form, especially in formal writing.

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

"Both of whom" is a relative pronoun construction used to provide more information about two people previously mentioned. "Both of them" is a pronoun phrase that simply refers back to the two people.

When should I use "both of whom" instead of other alternatives?

Use "both of whom" in formal contexts where you want to provide additional information about two specific individuals previously mentioned. In more informal contexts, "both of them" might be suitable.