they are both

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are both" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to two people or items that share a quality or characteristic. For example: "They are both excellent candidates for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are both great.

The New York Times

They are both right.

The Economist

They are both Democrats.

The New York Times

They are both.

The New York Times

They are both Texans.

The New York Times

They are both actresses.

The New Yorker

They are both men.

The New Yorker

"They are both heroes".

Independent

They are both conservatives".

The New York Times

They are both reasonable.

The New York Times

They are both lawyers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are both" to clearly indicate that two subjects share a specific attribute or characteristic. This phrase is useful for concise and direct communication.

Common error

Avoid using "they are both" when referring to a single subject or when more than two subjects are intended. Ensure the context clearly establishes two distinct subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they are both" is to assert a shared attribute or characteristic between two specific subjects. This pronoun phrase acts as a linking device, connecting the subjects to a predicate that applies equally to each, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are both" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a shared attribute or characteristic between two subjects. It's grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in news and media. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions to assert a similarity between two entities. When using "they are both", ensure you're referring to exactly two subjects to avoid grammatical errors. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "both of them are" or "each of them is" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of them are

Reorders the sentence structure to emphasize "both of them" as the subject.

both are

Omits the pronoun "they" for a more concise statement.

they both share

Highlights the shared characteristic rather than stating their equal status directly.

each of them is

Emphasizes the individuality of each subject while maintaining the shared attribute.

they have in common

Shifts the focus to the commonality between the subjects.

the two are

Specifies that there are two subjects being discussed.

similarly, they are

Introduces a comparison, highlighting the similarity in their state.

equally, they are

Highlights that they have the same state.

they're alike in that

Expresses that they have a similarity between each other.

in like manner, they are

More formal way to express they are the same.

FAQs

How can I use "they are both" in a sentence?

Use "they are both" to indicate a shared quality or condition between two subjects. For example, "They are both qualified for the job" indicates that two individuals meet the job requirements.

What alternatives can I use instead of "they are both"?

Alternatives include "both of them are", "each of them is", or "they both share", depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "they are both" when referring to more than two subjects?

No, "they are both" is specifically for two subjects. For more than two, use phrases like "all of them are" or "they all share".

What's the difference between "they are both" and "both of them are"?

While semantically similar, "they are both" is a more direct statement, while "both of them are" can add a slight emphasis on the subjects as a collective.