both survives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both survives" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts where two subjects are being discussed, but "survives" should be pluralized to "survive" to agree with "both." Example: "Both species survive in harsh conditions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One both survives and integrates by building new forms on existing scaffolds, and without them there would be neither freedom nor liberation.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On the other hand, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and President Ronald Reagan both survived it.

The New York Times - Health

Both survived.

The New York Times - Sports

They both survive him.

The New York Times

Both survived with bruises.

Independent

But they both survived.

The New York Times - Magazine

Both survived by wide margins.

The New York Times

Both survive, in a way.

The New Yorker

So we both survived".

The New York Times

"Even so, both survived".

The New York Times

Both survive them.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form of the verb ("survive") when referring to "both" subjects to ensure grammatical accuracy. For example, use "they both survive" instead of "both survives".

Common error

Avoid using the singular verb form "survives" with the pronoun "both". Always use the plural form "survive" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both survives" typically functions as a subject and verb intended to express the idea that two entities have remained alive or functional after a challenging situation. However, Ludwig AI shows that this construction is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "both survives" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. The correct usage is "both survive". Ludwig AI confirms that while examples exist, the construction violates standard grammar rules. It's best to opt for alternatives like "they both survive", "both endure", or "both persist" to ensure clarity and correctness. While source authority is high, the grammatical error significantly impacts the overall expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both endure

Replaces "survives" with "endure", maintaining the plural form to agree with "both".

both persist

Substitutes "survives" with "persist", ensuring grammatical correctness with the plural form.

they both survive

Restructures the sentence to use the pronoun "they" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

both remain alive

Replaces "survives" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the state of being alive.

both pull through

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of surviving a difficult situation.

both weather the storm

Employs a metaphorical expression to indicate surviving a challenging period.

they both came through

Uses an idiomatic phrase that suggests overcoming adversity and surviving.

both are still standing

Employs a figurative expression to show that both entities are still alive or functioning.

both have overcome

Focuses on the act of overcoming challenges to survive.

both continue to exist

A more formal and explicit way of expressing that both entities are still alive.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "both" with the verb "survive"?

The correct way is to use the plural form of the verb: "both survive". The phrase "both survives" is grammatically incorrect.

Can I say "both survives" in any context?

While you might encounter "both survives" in informal speech or writing, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to use "both survive".

What are some alternatives to "both survives" that are grammatically correct?

You can use phrases like "they both survive", "both endure", or "both persist" to express the same idea with correct grammar. See also "both endure" or "both persist".

Is there a difference in meaning between "both survive" and "they both survive"?

The meaning is essentially the same. "They both survive" explicitly uses a pronoun, which can sometimes improve clarity, especially if the subjects haven't been recently mentioned. However, "both survive" is also commonly used.