which are both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are both" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce two qualities or characteristics that are present in the subject being described. For example: - "I bought two new books, which are both interesting and informative." - "She is a talented actress, whose performances are both captivating and emotional." - "They offer two payment options, which are both convenient and secure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(9 Agencies which are both creditor and disbursing officials.

Cornell University

Which are both groups that I think of as made up of mostly thin people.

The New Yorker

Poverty breeds hopelessness and despair, which are both contributing factors to extremist behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have released two albums which are both collections of lovely downbeat songs.

The Guardian - Music

Each cell divides to produce two daughter cells, which are both identical to the original cell.

The Guardian

This sequence includes calculus and statistics, which are both very important for upper division MCB classes.

University of California, Berkeley

Ideally, districts would be purchasing textbooks which are both aligned and effective.

Harvard University

In this paper, we survey flexible multipath routing techniques which are both scalable and incentive compatible.

Princeton University

One of the de Koonings, which are both untitled, is from 1982.

The New York Times - Arts

This led to BBB hyperpermeability and breakdown, which are both hallmarks of IAE pathogenesis.

Nature

Meat contains protein, for example, and B vitamins, which are both essential for health.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the attributes you are assigning using "which are both" logically apply to the subject; avoid forcing connections that are not naturally related.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the "which are both" clause as close as possible to the noun it modifies. A misplaced modifier can lead to confusion about what the attributes are actually describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are both" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about something previously mentioned. It specifies that two characteristics or qualities apply to the antecedent. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which are both" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that introduces additional information, highlighting that two specific attributes or qualities apply to the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is valid and common across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, it serves to provide detailed descriptions and emphasize specific traits. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the phrase is placed close to the noun it modifies and that the attributes logically connect to the subject. Alternatives like "both of which are" can be used to vary sentence structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are both

Replaces "which" with "that", offering a slightly more direct connection.

both of which are

Inverts the structure to emphasize the 'both' aspect more explicitly.

that share both

Focuses on the shared characteristics using the verb 'share'.

and they are both

Splits the sentence into two clauses, adding a conjunction for emphasis.

each of which is

Emphasizes individuality while retaining the shared attribute.

which equally are

Uses "equally" to emphasize equal attribution of some quality.

where both are

Shifts the focus to a locational context where both elements exist.

that simultaneously have

Highlights the simultaneous possession of qualities.

possessing the properties of

Uses a more formal tone to denote shared characteristics.

exhibiting traits of

Focuses on the displayed characteristics or qualities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which are both" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "both of which are", or restructuring the sentence to say "they both possess the qualities of". These alternatives offer increased sophistication.

What's the difference between "which are both" and "that are both"?

"Which are both" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information. "That are both" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the sentence's meaning. Use "which" with commas, and "that" without.

How to use "which are both" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the clause introduced by "which are both" clearly refers to a plural noun or idea. For example, "The project requires resources and time, "which are both" scarce."

What are common mistakes to avoid when using "which are both"?

A common mistake is using "which are both" when the subject is singular. Also, ensure the two attributes you're assigning are logically connected to the subject. For example, avoid saying 'The car, which is both blue and a novel', as these attributes are unrelated.