happy both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'happy both' is not correct and it is not usable in written English.
A more idiomatic expression would be 'we are both happy' or 'we both are happy'. For example, "We both are happy that the project is finished."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Neither is happy; both want to see the other change, and each needs to be true to a code of ethics and belief that contradicts the other's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Resilient, and reflecting that the words "happen" and "happy" both derive from Old Norse for luck, he resumed work - and the beard.

The Guardian - Books

When he told her he had got The Daily Show job, she pointed out that his 11-year-old brother had been made headboy at school: "I'm so happy – both my boys are doing big things".

The Guardian

When he told his mother he had landed The Daily Show job, she pointed out that his 11-year-old brother had been made head boy at school: "I'm so happy, both my boys are doing big things".

The Guardian

*Have readers of Fortune magazine, published by the Time Inc. division of Time Warner, really become accustomed to reviews of compact disks by bands like Hole, Pulp, Air and R.E.M.? *Was it a coincidence that on the same Sunday, the comic strips "For Better or For Worse" and "One Big Happy" both showed their fictitious families playing Monopoly?

The New York Times

But she has kept two males happy, both of whom will help to feed her young.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Spain and Germany are among the most holiday-happy, both offering 34 days of paid leave each year.

Huffington Post

He said, 'I just want to make her happy.' " Both had plunged into the unfamiliar before.

The New York Times

Even though, from the cinema's viewpoint the experience with Peter Hall's Akenfield and Alain Resnais's Stavisky has not been especially happy - both disappeared from the big screen rapidly.

The Guardian

And people are happy in both roles.

The New York Times

"I'm very happy with both.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, rephrase "happy both" as "both are happy" or "they are both happy". This ensures grammatical correctness and improves readability.

Common error

Avoid using "happy both" as it disrupts the natural flow of English. Always ensure that the verb 'are' precedes "happy" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "happy both", while present in some contexts, primarily functions as an adjectival phrase intended to express mutual happiness. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "happy both" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using alternative phrases like "both are happy" or "they are both happy" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. The phrase tends to appear in informal contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian using it sparingly. When writing, prioritize grammatical correctness by opting for the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both are happy

Reorders the words to create a grammatically correct sentence.

both feel happy

Adds a verb to clarify that the subjects are experiencing happiness.

both of them are happy

Emphasizes that two specific entities are experiencing happiness.

they are both happy

Rearranges the sentence structure for better flow and clarity.

we are both happy

Specifies that the speaker and another person are experiencing happiness.

both individuals are happy

Uses a more formal term to describe the people experiencing happiness.

both parties are happy

Implies a formal agreement or situation where happiness is shared.

each is happy

Indicates individual happiness while still pertaining to a group.

mutually happy

Describes a shared sense of happiness between two entities.

equally happy

Conveys that both entities experience the same degree of happiness.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "happy both"?

Instead of "happy both", use phrases like "both are happy" or "they are both happy" for better grammar. For example, "We are "both happy" about the news" is preferable.

Is "happy both" considered standard English?

No, "happy both" isn't standard English. Standard alternatives include "both are happy" or "they are both happy", which are grammatically correct.

How can I use "both" and "happy" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the correct word order by saying "both are happy" or "they are both happy". For example, "Both are happy with the results."

What alternatives exist for expressing mutual happiness instead of "happy both"?

You can use alternatives like "mutually happy" or "equally happy" depending on the specific context you want to convey.