both work for me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both work for me" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are expressing that two options are both acceptable to you. For example, you may ask a friend, "Should we take the train or the bus? Both work for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A Pakistani man and an Indian gentleman from London both work for me.

Los Angeles Times

The 49ers' logo is a classic "SF," while the Ravens have a stylized bird on their helmets; both work for me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both worked for me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I use both," says Anna, "and both methods work for me".

The Guardian

But that didn't work for me, both through my speakers and my headphones.

The Washington Post

: So both the above approaches do not work for me.

University of California, Berkeley

"You work for me now".

The New York Times - Sports

You work for me".

BMC Public Health

Both worked for ESPN the past two seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

Judy Becker-Darling Becker-Darling and Frank Darlingr the C.I.A.

The New Yorker

The book worked for me on both levels.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In a professional context, this phrase is useful for demonstrating flexibility during scheduling or project planning.

Common error

Avoid using "both work to me", as the preposition 'for' is the standard way to express suitability in this context. Additionally, ensure you only use 'both' when referring to exactly two items; if there are three or more, use "all work for me" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both work for me" acts as a predicate expressing dual agreement or indifference. It uses the quantifier 'both' to refer to a previously mentioned pair of options. As noted by Ludwig, this structure is used to confirm that two different paths, schedules, or items are equally suitable for the speaker.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "both work for me" is a grammatically correct and effective English phrase used to express that two choices are equally acceptable. While exact matches are relatively rare in the Ludwig database, its high-quality usage in outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its status as a standard expression. It is best used in neutral or professional contexts to indicate flexibility. Writers should be careful to use the correct preposition 'for' and reserve 'both' strictly for situations involving exactly two options. For a more varied vocabulary, alternatives such as "<a href="/s/either+is+fine" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either is fine" can be used interchangeably.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Either is fine

Directly interchangeable, indicating that choosing one of the two options is acceptable

Either one works

A very close synonym that focuses on the functionality or utility of the choices

Both options are acceptable

Provides a more formal and explicit tone by adding the noun 'options'

Both suit me

Uses 'suit' to express that the choices meet your personal requirements or taste

I am happy with either

Places more emphasis on the speaker's emotional contentment with the selection

I'm good with both

A more colloquial and informal way to express agreement

Either choice is good

A slightly more formal variant than using 'fine'

They are both fine

Uses a more descriptive structure to confirm the status of the choices

Whichever works for you

Defers the final decision to the listener while confirming personal flexibility

Both are convenient

Specifically highlights that both choices offer ease or lack of difficulty

FAQs

How to use "both work for me" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone response or at the end of a comparison. For example, "Whether we meet at 2:00 or 3:00, "both work for me"."

What can I say instead of "both work for me"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/either+is+fine" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either is fine", "<a href="/s/both+suit+me" target="_blank" rel="alternative">both suit me", or "<a href="/s/either+one+works" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either one works".

Which is correct, "both work for me" or "either work for me"?

While "both work for me" is grammatically sound, "either" usually takes a singular verb. Therefore, "<a href="/s/either+works+for+me" target="_blank" rel="alternative">either works for me" is often preferred when using that specific pronoun.

Is "both work for me" formal enough for an email?

Yes, it is considered neutral to professional. However, if you want to sound even more formal, you might say "<a href="/s/both+options+are+acceptable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">both options are acceptable".