Skip to main content

Both

We use both to refer to two things or people together:

  • Both those chairs are occupied, I’m afraid. (The two chairs are occupied.)
  • Are both your parents going to Chile? (Are your mother and father going to Chile?)

Both with nouns​

When we use both before a determiner (e.g. a/an, the, she, his) + noun, both and both of can be used:

  • She knew both my children. (or … both of my children.)
  • Both her brothers are living in Canada. (or Both of her brothers …)

We can use both before a noun:

  • This button starts both engines at the same time. (or … both of the engines …)
  • Are both cats female?

Both with pronouns​

Pronoun + both​

We can use both after a subject pronoun or an object pronoun:

  • We both prefer classical music.
  • Let’s open them both now.

Both of + object pronoun​

When we use both as part of a subject or object which is a pronoun, it may be followed by of + an object pronoun:

  • We both dislike soap operas. (subject pronoun + both) or Both of us dislike soap operas. (both + of + object pronoun)
  • She looked at both of us.

We usually use both of + object pronoun after prepositions:

  • He shouted at both of them. (preferred to He shouted at them both.)
  • That’ll be so nice for both of you. (preferred to That’ll be so nice for you both.)

Both as a pronoun​

We can use both on its own as a pronoun:

  • There are two youth hostels in the city. Both are described as expensive, dirty, with poor lighting and poor security.
  • Applicants for this course must speak French or German, preferably both.

Both: position​

If both refers to the subject of a clause, we can use it in the normal mid position for adverbs, between the subject and main verb, after a modal verb or the first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb:

  • They both wanted to sell the house. (between the subject and the main verb)
  • They had both been refused entry to the nightclub. (after the first auxiliary or modal verb)
  • They were both very nice, kind and beautiful. (after be as a main verb)
  • Not: They both were very nice …
See also
  • Adverbs

Both in short answers​

We use both on its own in short answers:

  • A: Would you like something to drink?
  • B: A coffee and a tea, please.
  • A: Both*?*
  • B: Yeah, one for me and one for Brenda. She’s joining us in a minute.
  • A: Are you working on Monday or Wednesday next week?
  • B: Both*!*
  • Not: The both.

Both of or neither of in negative clauses​

We usually use neither of rather than both of … not in negative clauses:

  • Neither of them can swim. (preferred to Both of them can’t swim.)
  • Neither of my brothers lives at home any more. (preferred to Both of my brothers don’t live at home any more.)

When a negative verb is used, we use either (of). In informal speaking, we often use a plural verb after either, even though it is a singular word:

  • She didn’t like either dress. (She looked at two dresses.)
  • A: Are Yvonne and Lesley both coming?
  • B: We don’t know if either of them are coming. (or, more formally, … if either of them is coming.)
See also
  • Either

Both … and as a linking expression​

We use both … and to emphasise the link between two things. This makes a stronger connection than and alone:

  • Both Britain and France agree on the treaty. (stronger link than Britain and France agree on the treaty.)
  • She played both hockey and basketball when she was a student. (stronger link than She played hockey and basketball when she was a student.)
See also
  • Conjunctions

Both: typical errors​

We don’t use both with a negative verb; we use either instead:

  • There was not a considerable difference in percentages for either sex in terms of having a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Not: There was not a considerable difference in percentages for both sex in terms of having a bachelor’s degree.

When we use the verb be as a main verb, both comes after the verb:

  • These films are both famous with people of all ages …
  • Not: These films both are famous …