they both share

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they both share' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two people that have something in common. For example, "John and Mary both have a love of sports - they both share a passion for tennis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But they both share a certain synthetic sitcommy quality.

The New York Times

In addition to that they both share very similar backgrounds.

The New York Times

Yet despite these differences, they both share one common desire.

The New York Times

They both share the same thing: you have to be a believer.

The New York Times

I know they both share your accountant's values, your butcher's values, your mechanic's values.

The New York Times

Does she think they both share qualities which drew them towards that particular career?

The Guardian

They both share Portuguese ancestry, with Teixeira being a relatively common name in Portugal.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, Williams and McBean are not household names (even though they both share a locker room with Tim Tebow).

The New York Times

They both share deeper African roots and culture that helped form the foundation for their take on hip-hop.

The New York Times

But it's what Ms. Sondhe calls the "charismatic vibe" they both share that drew her to the project.

The New York Times

"They're both superb and they both share the play," said Frances Sternhagen, the actress, who serves on the nominating committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they both share" to clearly and concisely highlight a similarity between two subjects. Ensure that the context makes it clear what "they" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they both share" when referring to traits that are common to nearly everyone (e.g. "They both share the need to breathe"). The phrase is most effective when highlighting a specific, non-ubiquitous similarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they both share" serves as a connector to highlight a common attribute, characteristic, or experience between two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. The primary function is to establish a connection or similarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they both share" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a commonality between two subjects. As Ludwig AI states, it's appropriate when you want to highlight something that two people or entities have in common. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, the phrase is generally neutral in tone and serves an informative purpose. While perfectly acceptable, consider alternatives like "they have in common" or "they mutually possess" for stylistic variation. Just avoid using it for attributes so obvious that they are applicable to everyone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have in common

Focuses on the shared attribute as a point of convergence or similarity.

they both possess

Emphasizes shared possession of a particular attribute or quality.

they have a commonality

Highlights the existence of a shared trait or characteristic, often used in more formal contexts.

they mutually possess

Highlights the shared ownership or inherent characteristic.

they jointly experience

Emphasizes the shared nature of an event or sensation.

they are alike in that

Indicates similarity in a specific aspect or manner.

they both embody

Indicates a shared representation or manifestation of a particular quality or concept.

they partake in the same

Suggests active participation in a shared activity or quality.

they both feature

Highlights a shared characteristic or element.

a common thread unites them

Highlights a common element that links them.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they both share" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "they have in common" or "they mutually possess". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey in your writing.

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

While grammatically correct, using "they both share" can be redundant if the shared attribute is obvious or universal. Aim to use it when highlighting a specific or noteworthy similarity.

What's the difference between saying "they both share" and "they share"?

Using "they both share" emphasizes that each individual possesses the attribute, whereas "they share" can imply a jointly held resource or experience. The best choice depends on the intended meaning.

What are some synonyms for "they both share" that emphasize a common experience?

To emphasize a shared experience, you could use phrases like "they jointly experience" or "they partake in the same" activity or event.