both sexes

USAGE SUMMARY

"both sexes" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
Example: Studies have shown that both sexes benefit from increased physical activity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both sexes resisted.

The New Yorker

Both sexes bear horns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both sexes have tusks.

The Guardian

And both sexes are eaten.

The New York Times - Food

Both sexes excavate the burrow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both sexes developed extreme acne.

The New Yorker

Both sexes display superb footwork.

The New York Times - Arts

Both sexes brood the female's eggs.

The New Yorker

The pronghorn has horns in both sexes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Self-stimulation is common in both sexes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Outdoors both sexes wore sandals or shoes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing biological traits or conditions, use "both sexes" for accuracy. For discussions about social roles or identities, consider using "both genders".

Common error

Be mindful not to assume that "both sexes" automatically encompasses all gender identities. If gender identity is relevant, specify accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both sexes" typically functions as a determiner phrase, specifying that a statement or characteristic applies equally to males and females. It is used to avoid generalizations or assumptions that may only apply to one sex. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "both sexes" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something applies equally to males and females. Ludwig AI validates its usability in various contexts. It is most frequently used in news media, encyclopedias and scientific publications to ensure accuracy and inclusivity. Alternatives include "both genders" and "male and female", with the choice depending on whether the context relates to biological sex or social gender. While widely accepted, it's important to be mindful of gender inclusivity and avoid assumptions when using this phrase.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both genders

Replaces "sexes" with "genders", emphasizing the social construct of gender rather than biological sex.

in both sexes

Adds a preposition to slightly alter the phrase structure.

both male and female

More verbose restatement, emphasizing the inclusion of both sexes.

of both sexes

Inverts the phrase structure, using "of" to slightly alter sentence flow.

men and women

Specifies the two sexes, providing a more explicit and less abstract alternative.

male and female

Uses biological terminology to refer to the two sexes, suitable for scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

both parents

both coordinators

both mothers

both males

both behaviours

both initiatives

both victims

both opportunities

both affairs

both handcuffs

both generations

both families

both femmes

both perspectives

both subscriptions

both assessments

both considerations

both females

both issues

both women's

FAQs

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

Use "both sexes" to indicate that something applies equally to males and females. For example, "This medication is effective for "both sexes"".

What's the difference between "both sexes" and "both genders"?

"Both sexes" refers to biological differences, while "both genders" refers to social constructs. Use "both sexes" when discussing biological traits and "both genders" when discussing social roles.

Is it always necessary to specify "both sexes"?

No, only specify "both sexes" when the distinction is relevant. In many contexts, general terms like "people" or "individuals" are sufficient and more inclusive.

What are some alternatives to "both sexes"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "both genders", "men and women", or "male and female".