both pupils

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both pupils" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two students or learners, typically in an educational context. Example: "Both pupils excelled in their mathematics exam, demonstrating a strong understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Positive commitment is likely to enthuse both pupils and staff.

The Guardian

Everyone accepted us and supported us, both pupils and teachers.

The Guardian

By then both pupils were fixed and dilated.

The New York Times

Of course, normally, if you flash light in one eye, both pupils will constrict.

Stanford University

Milne's friendship with Philby began when they were both pupils at Westminster School.

The Guardian

Both pupils of Cockburn high school, Leeds, Hall and Waterhouse met at the age of 12.

The Guardian

Education professionals see a clear need to raise wellbeing support for both pupils and staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both pupils had shared details of the plans in internet chatrooms.

The Guardian

The children excelled and the benefits, in raising aspirations and confidence, of both pupils and staff, were enormous.

The Guardian

As a teacher in New York for 35 years she was unbelievably loved by both pupils and parents.

The New York Times

"It has been and continues to be a process getting both pupils and staff on board, but we are getting there," says Smith.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both pupils", ensure the context clearly establishes which two individuals are being referred to, especially if multiple pupils are present.

Common error

Avoid using "both pupils" when referring to a group larger than two. If more than two pupils are involved, use phrases like "all the pupils" or "the group of pupils".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both pupils" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically identifying two individuals within an educational context. As shown by Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used when referring to students or learners in a school or educational setting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both pupils" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to refer to two students or learners, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a determiner phrase, primarily serving to identify two individuals within an educational context. While versatile, it is most frequently encountered in news, media, science, and formal business writing. When using "both pupils", ensure that the context clearly defines which two individuals you are referencing and avoid its use when referring to groups larger than two. Alternatives such as "the two students" or "both students" offer suitable substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two students

Replaces "both pupils" with a more direct and common construction, emphasizing the number of students.

the two learners

Uses "learners" instead of "pupils", broadening the context beyond traditional schooling.

both scholars

Substitutes "pupils" with "scholars", suggesting a more academic or intellectual focus.

the pair of students

Emphasizes the pair aspect with "pair of", adding a slight formality.

these two students

Adds a demonstrative pronoun ("these") to specify the pupils being referred to.

the aforementioned pupils

More formal; used when referring back to pupils previously mentioned.

both trainees

Uses "trainees" instead of "pupils", shifting the context to vocational or professional training.

the two protégés

Implies a mentor-mentee relationship, where the two individuals are being guided or trained.

the two apprentices

Suggests a hands-on learning environment where individuals are learning a trade or craft.

both attendees

Frames "pupils" as participants in a class, course, or program.

FAQs

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

"Both pupils" can be used to refer to two students, such as "Both pupils excelled in their exams" or "The teacher gave feedback to "both pupils"".

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

A more formal alternative is "the two students". This is suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say "both of the pupils"?

Yes, "both of the pupils" is grammatically correct and emphasizes that you're referring to two specific pupils from a larger group. The simpler phrase ""both pupils"" is also perfectly acceptable and often preferred for its conciseness.

Can I use "both students" instead of "both pupils"?

Yes, "both students" is a perfectly acceptable synonym for "both pupils". The choice often depends on the specific context and the overall tone of your writing.