both omens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both omens" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two signs or indicators that suggest a particular outcome or event. Example: "The arrival of the storm and the sudden silence of the birds were both omens of the impending disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These feline shadows have skulked around folklore for thousands of years, and become known as both omens of prosperity as well as misfortune.

Independent

Here's how.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How Spain won — with two goals from reserve players — seemed a good omen both for the coming Confederations Cup and a future in which its dominance is not guaranteed.

The New York Times - Sports

A recent Labor Department report showed a greater-than-expected rise in the number of people claiming jobless benefits even as private-sector economic forecasts are being revised downward — both very bad omens for continued job growth.

The New York Times

Both are bad omens for the Jets against the Indianapolis Colts; championship teams beat up on bad teams, and get at least a couple of big wins against good teams.

The New Yorker

Mermaids appear in British folklore as unlucky omens, both foretelling disaster and provoking it.

Wikipedia

We both still count Good Omens as our favourite book.

The Guardian - Books

But Backman saw both good and bad omens for the Pirates because they had beaten back the Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

Statistical omens aside, both Martinez and Lambert have reasons to be cheerful with the teams they have picked.

BBC

In response, Mardonius brought his men up to the Asopus and arrayed them for battle; However, neither the Persians nor the Greeks would attack; Herodotus claims this is because both sides received bad omens during sacrificial rituals.

Wikipedia

Omens abound on both sides.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both omens", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the two omens are and how they relate to the situation you are describing. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "both omens" automatically imply a positive or negative outcome. The nature of the omens and their interpretation depends heavily on the specific context and cultural beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both omens" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and refers to two signs or indicators.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both omens" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich noun phrase used to describe two signs that collectively suggest a future outcome. Although Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage is relatively infrequent, primarily appearing in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Related phrases include "two portents" and "dual foreshadowings", offering alternative ways to express the idea. When using "both omens", ensure clarity regarding the specific signs and their relevance to the context, avoiding assumptions about their inherent positive or negative connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two signs

Offers a simpler, more direct way of referring to the signs, removing the connotation of prediction or fate.

two indicators

A straightforward substitution, replacing "omens" with a general term for signs.

two portents

Replaces "omens" with a more formal synonym, "portents", emphasizing the significance of the signs.

paired indications

Highlights that there are two indications or suggestions of something to come.

dual foreshadowings

Uses "foreshadowings" to highlight the predictive nature of the signs, suggesting they hint at future events.

shared signals

Implies both signals indicate the same thing or are related in their meaning.

joint predictions

Focuses on the predictive aspect of the omens, implying that they collectively point towards a specific outcome.

double presage

Replaces "omens" with "presage," which has a more literary feel, indicating a feeling or warning of something about to happen.

combined auguries

Auguries refer specifically to interpreting signs to predict the future, adding a layer of formality.

concurrent premonitions

Emphasizes the intuitive or psychological aspect of omens, suggesting a feeling that something will happen.

FAQs

How can I use "both omens" in a sentence?

You can use "both omens" to refer to two signs that together suggest a particular outcome, as in: "The dark clouds and the sudden drop in temperature were "both omens" of an approaching storm."

What's a more formal alternative to "both omens"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "two portents" or "dual foreshadowings", depending on whether you want to emphasize the significance or the predictive aspect.

Are "both omens" always negative?

No, ""both omens"" can be positive, negative, or neutral depending on the context. For example, "The early bloom of the flowers and the return of the birds were "both omens" of a bountiful spring."

Can I use "both omens" to describe feelings or intuitions?

While ""both omens"" typically refers to tangible signs, you can use it metaphorically to describe strong feelings or intuitions that suggest a particular outcome. For instance, you might say, "Her unease and his hesitation were "both omens" that the deal would fall through."