in both direction

USAGE SUMMARY

'in both directions' is a grammatically correct phrase that is often used in written English.
It is used to express the idea that something applies or functions in two different directions or ways. For example, "This bridge can accommodate traffic in both directions."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The PCR conditions were 94°C for 2 min, followed by 30 cycles of 94°C for 20 s, 55°C for 20 s and 72°C for 30 s, with a final extension at 72°C for 5 min. The resulting products were purified using a Qiaex II gel extraction kit (Qiagen) and then subjected to direct sequencing in both direction.

BMC Cancer

Wind flow varies in both direction and strength.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Deep into his eighties, his convictions seemed to shift in both direction and ferocity.

The New Yorker

Crude exposure estimates from each method were similar in both direction and magnitude.

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

The anisotropy manifests itself in both direction dependent elastic modulus as well as direction dependent swelling.

Polymer

The aim of this paper is the investigation focused on sinusoidally corrugated in both direction steel plates.

Engineering Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Insults fly in both directions.

The Economist

Information flowed in both directions.

The Economist

"This time it led, in both directions".

The Economist

The benefits could flow in both directions.

The New York Times

However, this influenced behavior in both directions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "in both direction" is understandable, prefer using the plural form "in both directions" for clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, "Traffic flows in both directions on this street."

Common error

Avoid using "direction" in the singular when referring to movement or effect in two distinct paths. Always use the plural form "directions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in both direction" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the direction of an action or state. While understandable, it's less common than the plural form, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in both direction" is used to indicate actions or states occurring in two opposing or distinct directions. Although understandable, Ludwig AI and standard grammar recommend using the plural form "in both directions" for greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. This is especially important in formal or scientific writing. While the phrase appears across a range of contexts, it is most frequently found in scientific and news-related sources. When writing, remember to prioritize the grammatically correct and more widely accepted "in both directions".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in either direction

Replaces "both" with "either", suggesting a choice or possibility in each direction.

in two directions

More explicitly states the number of directions involved.

bidirectionally

Uses an adverb to express movement or effect in two directions.

in opposing directions

Highlights the contrasting nature of the directions.

in reverse and forward

Specifies forward and backward as the two directions.

in both ways

Uses the term "ways" to describe the directionality.

in direct opposition

Emphasizes the conflict or contrast in direction.

reciprocally

Indicates a mutual or corresponding action or influence.

in opposite senses

Focuses on abstract meanings, rather than physical directions.

from opposite ends

Implies a convergence or interaction originating from two extremes.

FAQs

What's the difference between "in both direction" and "in both directions"?

"In both direction" is grammatically less common. The plural form, "in both directions", is generally preferred in standard English.

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

Use "in both directions" to indicate movement, flow, or influence occurring from two opposing points. For example, "The river flows in both directions during high tide."

Are there alternatives to saying "in both directions"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "bidirectionally", "reciprocally", or "in either direction".

Is "in both direction" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "in both direction" is not the standard grammatical form. It's better to use "in both directions", which is grammatically correct and more widely accepted.