most of both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most of both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a majority of two different groups or categories simultaneously. Example: "In the survey, most of both the participants and the observers agreed on the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He made the most of both situations.

The New York Times - Arts

This episode, Cyclone, made the most of both.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We left most of both steaks on our plates.

The New York Times

Ginger-cauliflower soup makes the most of both its leading ingredients, in a sturdy broth thickened with coconut milk.

The New York Times

# Dublin is rich in pubs and poetry and its Literary Pub Crawl (dublinpub crawl.com) makes the very most of both.

Independent

Road transport produces most of both types of gunk: 83% of the fine particles and 46% of the nitrogen pollution.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In bilingualism, one language suffers, and most of the time, both.

The New York Times

"I know most of my cows both by the head and by the udder.

The New York Times

I made the most of it both ways.

The New York Times

Most of all, both have high-strung people in a beautiful setting watching each other's every ugly move.

The New York Times - Style

Most of the time, both sides played nice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most of both", ensure that you are genuinely referring to two distinct and identifiable groups or entities. Avoid using it when referring to a single entity with multiple characteristics.

Common error

Avoid using "most of both" when you are referring to parts of a single entity. For example, instead of saying "most of both the engine and the chassis were damaged", it is better to rephrase as "most of the engine and chassis were damaged."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of both" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying a majority within two specified groups. Ludwig indicates that it is considered correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most of both" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express that a majority applies to each of two distinct groups or entities. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct. It's suitable for neutral contexts and found across news, scientific, and general writing. Be mindful to use it only when referring to two distinct entities, not parts of a single entity. Alternatives like "majority of both" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. While not as authoritative, remember to check how often this word is used on different sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

majority of both

Replaces "most" with "majority", indicating a larger proportion.

bulk of both

Emphasizes the substantial quantity rather than a simple count.

greater part of both

Offers a more formal alternative to "most".

larger portion of both

Highlights the size aspect of the quantity.

significant amount of both

Focuses on the significance of the quantity rather than the exact proportion.

considerable number of both

Suggests a notable quantity, but without specifying the exact fraction.

the better part of both

Implies that the larger section is superior or more important.

the major share of both

Emphasizes the ownership or division aspect of the quantity.

almost all of both

Conveys a quantity very close to the entirety, but not quite.

virtually all of both

Indicates a quantity so close to the total that the difference is negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "most of both" in a sentence?

Use "most of both" to indicate that a majority of two distinct groups or items share a characteristic. For example, "Most of both the students and teachers agreed with the new policy."

What phrases are similar to "most of both"?

Alternatives include "the majority of both", "the greater part of both", or phrases like "bulk of both" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "most of both" or "most of each"?

While both can be correct, "most of each" may be clearer when emphasizing the individual proportion within each group. "Most of both" emphasizes the combined majority. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

Can "most of both" be used with more than two items or groups?

No, "most of both" is specifically for two items or groups. If there are more than two, use "most of the" followed by the plural noun (e.g. "most of the students").