choose both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "choose both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when presenting options and indicating that the reader can select more than one choice. Example: "In this survey, you can choose both your favorite color and your preferred style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may choose both options.

The New York Times

However if you can choose both, will you choose both?

The Economist

Greedy by nature, I choose both.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The E.U. has made it clear: it cannot choose both".

The New Yorker

"Here is the answer Democrats offer tonight: We choose both.

The Washington Post

Voters will choose both delegates and a presidential candidate, not just delegates.

The New York Times

Film chooses, too, and even a focus-puller can't choose both at once.

The Guardian - Books

They will choose both their financial and their activity commitments to the party.

The Guardian - Opinion

So the happy summer reader needs to choose both a place and a time.

The Guardian - Books

The only "trick" is that one must choose both modest spending cuts and reasonable tax increases.

The New York Times

"Our client can choose both the design and color of the dial".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "choose both", ensure that the context clearly indicates the availability and suitability of selecting multiple options. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the intended meaning is conveyed effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "choose both" when the options presented are mutually exclusive. This can create confusion and misrepresent the intended choice architecture. Clarify if selecting one option precludes selecting others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choose both" functions primarily as a directive phrase, instructing or indicating the possibility of selecting two options from a given set. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

21%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Unknown/unmatched sources

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "choose both" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed directive, signaling the option to select two items or possibilities from a given set. According to Ludwig, its widespread use spans diverse contexts, maintaining a neutral register appropriate for both formal and informal communications. Alternative phrases, such as "select both" or "opt for both", offer similar meanings with subtle variations in tone. When deploying "choose both", clarity is paramount to avert misunderstandings concerning exclusivity or option availability. Ludwig confirms its correctness and high usability, ensuring that communicators can confidently utilize this phrase to grant expanded choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

select both

Replaces "choose" with "select", maintaining the same meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

opt for both

Substitutes "choose" with "opt for", indicating a preference or decision towards multiple items.

pick both

Replaces "choose" with "pick", offering a more casual and informal alternative.

take both

Uses "take" instead of "choose", implying acquisition or acceptance of multiple options.

go with both

Employs "go with" as a substitute for "choose", indicating a decision to proceed with multiple selections.

adopt both

Replaces "choose" with "adopt", suggesting the acceptance or implementation of multiple choices.

employ both

Substitutes "choose" with "employ", indicating the utilization of multiple strategies or methods.

designate both

Replaces "choose" with "designate", suggesting the assignment or identification of multiple items.

mark both

Uses "mark" instead of "choose", implying the selection of multiple options through marking or highlighting.

embrace both

Replaces "choose" with "embrace", indicating the acceptance and adoption of multiple ideas or perspectives.

FAQs

How do I use "choose both" in a sentence?

Use "choose both" to indicate that multiple options can be selected. For example, "You can "choose both" appetizers and desserts from the menu."

What's a more formal way to say "choose both"?

A more formal alternative is to use "select both". For instance, "Participants may select both a primary and secondary area of interest."

Is it correct to say "choose both of"?

While grammatically understandable, "choose both of" is less common and can sound slightly awkward. It's generally better to simply use ""choose both"" directly.

What's the difference between "choose both" and "choose all"?

"Choose both" implies selecting two specific options from a set, whereas "choose all" suggests selecting every available option.