they both are

USAGE SUMMARY

"they both are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when two things have a shared characteristic or status. For example: "The two books have different covers, but they both are written by the same author."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They both are very competitive".

The New Yorker

They both are master politicians.

The New York Times

Clearly, they both are.

The New York Times

They both are starch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

they both are not steady.

University of California, Berkeley

I know where they both are.

Independent

What hypocrites they both are.

The Guardian - Opinion

They both are former New Yorkers.

The New York Times

"They both are major leaders in their respective fields.

Harvard University

They both are broadly used in the conventional chloromethylation process.

Journal of Membrane Science

They both are – to each other, and to other people.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they both are" when you want to clearly state that two specific subjects share a common attribute or condition. It's useful for highlighting similarities or shared characteristics.

Common error

Avoid using "they both are" when the attribute applies collectively rather than individually. For instance, don't say "they both are a team" (incorrect) when you should say "they both are on a team" or "together, they form a team" (correct).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they both are" primarily functions as a linking phrase, connecting two subjects to a shared attribute or state. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used to establish commonalities between individuals, objects, or concepts, reinforcing the attribute or state they share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they both are" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to highlight a shared attribute or state between two subjects. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase functions as a linking phrase, serving to establish similarities across various contexts, from news reporting to scientific discussions. While suitable for both informal and formal settings, it's crucial to ensure the attribute logically applies to both subjects individually to maintain accuracy. Several alternatives, such as "both of them are" or "they are both", offer slight variations in emphasis. Be mindful of the phrase's neutral register and its prevalent use in News & Media, Science, and Academic domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of them are

Emphasizes the 'both' aspect more directly.

they are both

Reorders the words slightly for a different emphasis.

both are

A more concise way to state the shared characteristic, suitable where the 'they' is implied.

the two of them are

Specifies that exactly two entities are being referred to.

each is

Focuses on the individual nature of the two things.

in both cases

Highlights the scenario where they are similar.

similarly, they

Adds a comparative element.

likewise, they

Also contributes a comparative element.

they share the property of being

More formal way of saying it.

they have in common that they are

Emphasizes their common trait.

FAQs

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

Use "they both are" when referring to two distinct entities or subjects sharing a common attribute. For example, "John and Mary are talented musicians; "they both are" excellent pianists".

What are some alternatives to "they both are"?

Alternatives include "both of them are", "they are both", or a more concise "both are", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "they both are"?

It can be incorrect if the attribute you're assigning doesn't logically apply to both subjects individually. For example, avoid saying "they both are a company", but you could say ""they both are" part of the same company".

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

The difference is subtle and mainly stylistic. "They both are" emphasizes the 'both', while "they are both" places more emphasis on the shared attribute. Either is generally acceptable.