only both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'only both' is not correct in written English.
If you want to express that all two options are equally valid, you could use 'equally', 'just as', 'both', or 'both equally'. For example: "I like both apples and oranges equally."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The menu is short, only both sides of one page, with recited specials for the weekends.

The New York Times

The next great Olympic swimming champion watching America's greatest champion celebrate in a way only both of them can.

The Guardian - Sport

The powerful wind affected not only both former No. 1's ball toss, but also their hems.

The New York Times

Her journey that day caused her to lose not only both legs and 80% of her blood but her life as she knew it.

The Guardian - Sport

MARK LEWIS Mustang, Okla., Nov. 5, 2006 I was shocked to see that the de facto ombudsman of The New York Times failed a basic tenet of Journalism 101: that is, there are never only "both" sides of a story.

The New York Times

Shredded green papaya salad ($5), for instance, is not only both tangy and sweet but fiery as well, strewn with chewy dried shrimp and tiny red chilies, with a faint sense of pungent fish sauce in the background.

The New York Times - Food

The result is a series in which not only both its stars are women (Jones and the excellent Lesley Sharp), but whose boss is played by a woman, too (Amelia Bullmore).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Wasserman added that the company had tried several moderation methods in the past year, including allowing broadcasters to block people or to restrict audiences to their own followers only – both of which put responsibility on the broadcaster.

The Guardian - Tech

This could be huge for not only both companies, but for you and me.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

AEs were included as a categorical variable (AE grade 1 2 only, AE grade 3 or above only, both-grade AEs, and no AEs).

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

Table 3 shows respondent demographic profiles for the mobile frame (mobile-only, both and total), compared to the landline frame (landline-only, both and total).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "only both" in formal writing. Instead, use phrases like "both exclusively" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Common error

The phrase "only both" is often redundant. Ensure you're not simply trying to emphasize that there are exactly two items; use "both" or a more precise construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only both" attempts to function as a limiting adjective phrase, seeking to specify a restrictive condition. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only both" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in written English. Although examples can be found, they are infrequent and come from varied sources. For clear and correct writing, it's better to use alternatives such as "both exclusively" or rephrase your sentence to avoid the construction altogether. Pay attention to the usage guidance to avoid common errors and improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Both exclusively

Emphasizes that only the two specified items or options are considered, excluding others.

Just both

Highlights that only the two items or options are relevant or applicable.

Solely these two

Indicates that only these two specific entities or items are involved.

Merely both

Conveys a sense of limitation to only the two mentioned items.

Restricted to both

Specifies that the selection or application is limited to these two items or options.

Confined to both

Similar to 'restricted to both', emphasizing a limitation to just the two items.

Limited to both

Expresses a restriction, similar to 'confined to both' and 'restricted to both'.

Only the two

Highlights the specific number (two) that are included.

Both and nothing else

Emphasizes that only the two items are important or valid, excluding anything else.

The only two

Indicates that there are precisely two items or options, and no more.

FAQs

How can I correctly express that just two options are valid?

Use "both", "just both", or rephrase the sentence to clearly indicate that only two options apply. Avoid using the phrase "only both".

What's wrong with saying "only both"?

The phrase "only both" is considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. The word "only" is unnecessary when you've already specified "both".

Are there better alternatives to "only both" in academic writing?

Yes. In academic writing, clarity and precision are essential. Use phrases like "both exclusively" or specify the two items directly without the word "only".

When might someone mistakenly use the phrase "only both"?

Speakers or writers may use "only both" when trying to emphasize that exactly two items are being considered, but it adds unnecessary words and creates a grammatically unsound phrase. It's better to use "both exclusively".