both said

USAGE SUMMARY

"both said" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to show that more than one person or group has the same opinion or has said the same thing. Example: "Both said they were eager to start the project as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Barton and Timmer both said bad words.

The New Yorker

Eli and Flacco both said yes.

Huffington Post

"Yes," we both said.

The New Yorker

Both said they would appeal.

Independent

Both said they were beaten.

The New York Times

We both said sure.

The Washington Post

"Yeah," they both said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

If you have used both, say so.

WikiHow

Both say they are heterosexual.

The New York Times

Both say: Santa A. Claus.

The New York Times

Maybe both, says Cameron.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language. While "both said" is correct, use alternatives like "they concurred" or "both affirmed" to enhance the style of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "both said" when referring to more than two entities. The term "both" strictly applies to two subjects. If there are more than two, consider using "all said" or "they all said".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both said" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating that two subjects have expressed the same opinion or statement. Ludwig shows it being used extensively in news and media to report on what different parties have communicated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both said" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, especially within news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively conveys that two entities have expressed the same opinion or statement. While straightforward, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding who "both" refers to. Consider varying your language with alternatives like "they concurred" for stylistic enhancement. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and applicable in a variety of situations where a shared statement from two sources needs to be reported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they both stated

Replaces "said" with "stated", emphasizing a formal declaration.

both parties indicated

Substitutes "said" with "indicated" and adds "parties" making it suitable for formal contexts involving agreements or opinions of groups.

they concurred

Replaces "both said" with a single verb, implying agreement.

both affirmed

Uses "affirmed" instead of "said", suggesting a confirmation or declaration.

each declared

Shifts from a collective "both" to an individual "each", still conveying a similar message.

they jointly expressed

Emphasizes the unified expression of an idea or feeling.

both voiced

Replaces "said" with "voiced", highlighting the expression of an opinion or feeling.

both communicated

Uses a more general term, "communicated", instead of "said", focusing on the act of conveying information.

they reported

Implies that what was said is part of a report or account.

both mentioned

Suggests a casual or brief reference to something, rather than a formal statement.

FAQs

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

"Both said" is used to indicate that two entities expressed the same opinion or statement. For example, "The witnesses were questioned, and "both said" they saw the car speeding away from the scene."

What are some alternatives to "both said"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they concurred", "both affirmed", or "they jointly expressed".

Is it correct to use "both said" when referring to more than two people?

No, "both" specifically refers to two entities. If more than two people are involved, use phrases like "all said" or "they all stated".

What's the difference between "both said" and "both stated"?

While similar, "stated" often implies a more formal declaration than "said". Therefore, using "both stated" might be more appropriate in formal or official contexts.