signed both

USAGE SUMMARY

"signed both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two people or entities who have both signed a document or agreement. For example: "The two business partners signed both copies of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some lawmakers signed both letters.

The New York Times

Mr. Pataki has signed both measures into law.

The New York Times

A short time later, Gov. George E. Pataki signed both bills into law.

The New York Times

At track, path is signed both ways, so take right and follow unmade wide road.

The Guardian - Travel

Iran has signed both, and is suspected of secretly breaking both.

The Economist

When Hnatyuk returned, he took his seat, carefully read the contract, and signed both copies.

Harvard Business Review

Professor Baker, who signed both documents, did not respond to repeated attempts to reach her yesterday.

The New York Times

Each signed the other's, and the other two dissenters, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., signed both.

The New York Times

With two of their premier players eligible for free agency, the Mets signed both to lucrative long-term deals.

The New York Times - Sports

He said the vandal signed both attacks "Coolio," in the second case writing, "Craftily owned by Coolio..D".

The New York Times

It could then be signed both by bishops and people of all backgrounds across the country – including you and me!

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For increased clarity, specify who signed the documents, such as "The CEO signed both agreements".

Common error

Avoid using "signed both" if there are more than two items involved. It's crucial to use the phrase only when referring to exactly two items to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signed both" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of signing two specific items. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it describes the completion of a signing action related to two documents or parties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "signed both" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a person or entity has signed two specific items. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register. While generally straightforward, it’s crucial to ensure that the context clearly defines what "both" refers to and to avoid using it when more than two items are involved. Alternatives like "endorsed both" or "ratified both" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsed both

Replaces "signed" with "endorsed", suggesting approval in addition to signing.

ratified both

Replaces "signed" with "ratified", implying formal approval, often by a governing body.

executed both

Replaces "signed" with "executed", a more formal and legal term for signing.

approved both

Focuses on the act of approval rather than the physical act of signing.

countersigned both

Suggests that someone added their signature to something already signed.

affixed signatures to both

A more formal way of saying "signed both".

put their names to both

An idiomatic way of saying "signed both", emphasizing personal commitment.

subscribed to both

Indicates agreement and commitment to the content of both documents.

gave assent to both

Replaces signing with the act of giving formal agreement.

consented to both

Implies agreement or permission to both items, often in a legal or formal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "signed both" to indicate that a person or entity has signed two specific documents, for example, "The manager "signed both" contracts yesterday".

What does it mean to have "signed both"?

Having "signed both" means that someone has affixed their signature to two distinct documents, agreements, or items, signifying their approval, acceptance, or commitment to each.

Is it correct to say "signed all" instead of "signed both"?

No, "signed all" is only appropriate when referring to more than two items. "Signed both" is exclusively for two items; otherwise, "signed all" or "signed each" would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "signed both" and "countersigned both"?

"Signed both" simply means signing two documents. "Countersigned both" implies that the documents were already signed by someone else, and another person is adding their signature to validate or approve the original signature.