they're both dead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they're both dead" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the status of two individuals who have passed away. Example: "In the tragic story, it is revealed that they're both dead, leaving the community in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Then he flatly replied, "They're both dead".

The New York Times

By the time help arrives, they're both dead.

The New York Times - Books

Your parents must be very proud of you... They're both dead, sadly.

The Guardian

They're both dead now, but the pack uses the exact same area of the park.

The New York Times - Science

His conclusion? "No wonder women and men can't get along with each other: They're both dead".

The New York Times

Are they healthy?They're both dead, I reply,she died of cancer, he of a stroke,and then they go on asking,A diabetic?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

And they were both dead.

The New Yorker

They are both dead.

The New York Times

Born at 23 weeks, they were both dead within hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He ran out and tried to revive the two motorcyclists, but they were both dead.

The New Yorker

But if you add a coda — 'A hundred years later, they were both dead' — does that turn the story pessimistic?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly; in sensitive situations, a more euphemistic phrase might be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "they're both dead" without first establishing who "they" are. Unclear references can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they're both dead" functions as a declarative statement expressing the demise of two individuals. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English. Examples show it commonly used to report events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

9%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Books

6%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they're both dead" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for indicating the death of two individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while direct, it is most appropriate in neutral contexts like news reports. More sensitive situations might call for gentler alternatives. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media. When you want to express this idea avoid using it without a clear pronoun reference and consider the level of sensitivity required by the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of them have died

This alternative is a more formal way of saying that two people have died.

they have both passed away

This alternative uses the euphemism 'passed away' to soften the impact of the news.

both are deceased

This alternative is a more formal and clinical way of stating that two people are dead.

they are no longer with us

This alternative is a gentler, more comforting way to convey the news of their death.

both have met their end

This alternative implies a sense of finality and fate.

they succumbed

This alternative implies a struggle against something, like an illness or a disaster.

both perished

This alternative is a more formal and dramatic way of saying that two people have died, often in a sudden or violent way.

they're gone

This alternative is a simple and direct way of saying that two people have died.

both are defunct

This alternative is more suitable when referring to organizations or systems that have ceased to exist.

they are history

This alternative implies that the two individuals are part of the past and no longer relevant.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "they're both dead"?

In more formal contexts, you could say "both of them have died" or "they have both passed away". The phrase "both are deceased" is another option for very formal situations.

Is "they're both dead" appropriate for sensitive situations?

While grammatically correct, "they're both dead" can sound blunt. In sensitive situations, consider using more compassionate alternatives like "they have both passed away" or "they are no longer with us".

Can "they're both dead" be used for non-human subjects?

Yes, "they're both dead" can be used for animals or even inanimate objects in a metaphorical sense, but ensure the context is clear. For example, "The batteries are finished, "they're dead"."

What are some alternatives to "they're both dead" that imply a struggle?

If you want to imply that the individuals struggled against something before dying, you could use "they succumbed". This suggests they lost a battle against an illness or other hardship.