the both sides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both sides" can be used in written English.
Example: The government attempted to negotiate with both sides of the conflict, but unfortunately talks eventually broke down.

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The "both sides" meme.

Huffington Post

"I will reach to piece in my mind when I accept and love the both sides".

Vice

This bizarre ruling gives an insight into why Coláiste Eoin initially toed the "both sides of the argument" line after abruptly canceling Shout Out's workshop.

Vice

But on Tuesday afternoon, in a heated back-and-forth with reporters, Trump shifted his tone yet again, returning to the "both sides" rhetoric of his initial statement.

Huffington Post

The "both sides" variable, however, was not important.

British Medical Journal

But the both sides have said that is not feasible.

The Guardian

Viewing is free from various points along the both sides of the river.

The New York Times

In the "Both Sides Now" portion, Ms. Mitchell commandeered a highly organized, powerful performance, creating confident new readings of old songs.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The PCM was entirely solidified using the both-sides freezing, as a main method under the influence of average discharging temperature was at 65 °C.

International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

A very skeptical Behar took him to task for the both-sides argument.

Huffington Post

"Time for Republicans to Leap from the Boat," David Frum said hopefully, following the both-sides-ing of neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "the both sides" is understandable, consider using the more common and grammatically conventional phrase "both sides" for improved clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "the both sides" when "both sides" suffices. The article "the" is often unnecessary and can make the phrase sound awkward. Remember to use "both sides" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the both sides" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It aims to refer to two opposing viewpoints, groups, or aspects. However, it is less common than the simpler form "both sides". Ludwig identifies that the phrase, though present, is less preferable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

52%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the both sides" is understandable, it's generally less preferred compared to the more common and grammatically standard "both sides". As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage is acceptable but not ideal. You'll find it across different contexts, particularly in news, media and science, but the redundancy of adding "the" before "both sides" often makes it sound less polished. For clearer and more concise writing, stick with the simpler "both sides" in most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both sides

Omits the definite article "the", resulting in a more standard and grammatically common phrasing.

the two sides

Replaces "both" with "two", which can be more explicit when referring to exactly two entities.

the opposing sides

Highlights the adversarial nature of the sides being referred to.

either side

Focuses on one side at a time, rather than both collectively.

each side

Emphasizes the individual nature of each side being discussed.

the different sides

Highlights the distinct or contrasting nature of the sides involved.

the respective sides

Emphasizes that each side has its own distinct viewpoint or position.

the competing sides

Suggests a sense of rivalry or competition between the sides.

the conflicting parties

Emphasizes the disagreement and potential animosity between the sides.

all sides

Implies more than two sides are involved in the discussion or situation.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "the both sides"?

While understandable, the phrase "the both sides" is less common and slightly awkward. The more standard and grammatically correct phrasing is simply "both sides".

When should I use "the both sides" versus "both sides"?

In most cases, "both sides" is the preferred and more concise option. There's rarely a situation where adding "the" significantly improves the meaning or clarity.

What are some alternative ways to refer to "the both sides" of an argument?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "either side", "each side", or "all sides" (if more than two sides are involved).

Is "the both sides" considered formal or informal?

Because it's less grammatically sound, "the both sides" tends to be used in more informal contexts, although it's generally better to stick to "both sides" in any setting.