Both is used to refer to two people or things together, indicating that something applies equally to each of them. It functions as a determiner (before a noun) or a pronoun (replacing a noun phrase) and always takes a plural verb.
What Does Both Mean?
Both comes from Old English ba and begen, related to Old Norse baðir and German beide, all descending from Proto-Germanic *bai- meaning "both". The word has retained its core meaning — the two together — essentially unchanged throughout the history of English.
In modern English, both emphasises that two items are included equally, with no exceptions. It is one of the most frequent words in the language, appearing in everyday conversation, academic writing, and formal documents alike. Mastering both also means understanding its partners: either (one or the other), neither (not one and not the other), and all (three or more items).
As a determiner, both appears directly before a plural noun or before the + plural noun: both hands, both the candidates. As a pronoun, it stands alone: "Two options were presented. Both seemed reasonable." In the correlative conjunction pattern both … and …, it links two parallel structures of equal grammatical weight.
Example Sentences by Level
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| Both students passed the exam with high marks. | A2 | both as determiner before plural noun |
| I have two cats. Both are very friendly. | A2 | both as pronoun replacing a noun phrase |
| She speaks both French and Spanish fluently. | B1 | both … and … correlative conjunction |
| They have both finished their assignments ahead of the deadline. | B1 | both in mid-position after auxiliary verb |
| The report addresses both the economic and the environmental consequences of the decision. | B2 | both … and … linking complex noun phrases |
| Both parties to the contract are required to sign in the presence of a witness. | C1 | formal/legal register; both as determiner |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| both … and … | The course covers both grammar and vocabulary. |
| both sides | Both sides of the argument were presented fairly. |
| both hands | He carried the tray with both hands. |
| both ways | You cannot have it both ways — you must choose. |
| both of us / them / you | Both of us agreed that the plan needed revision. |
| in both cases | In both cases, the results were inconclusive. |
| on both occasions | She arrived late on both occasions. |
| for both parties | The agreement was beneficial for both parties. |
| appeal to both | The film is designed to appeal to both adults and children. |
| combine both | The new approach combines both tradition and innovation. |
Usage Notes
Both always takes a plural verb. Whether both is a determiner or a pronoun, the verb that agrees with it must be plural: "Both options are valid", not "Both options is valid". This applies even when both appears in mid-position: "They are both excellent candidates."
When both precedes a definite article, the article follows: both the doors, not the both doors. In informal speech you may hear "the both of them", but this is non-standard and should be avoided in formal writing. The standard forms are both of them or both doors.
In the both … and … pattern, the two elements joined must be grammatically parallel. "She is both talented and dedicated" (adjective + adjective) is correct. "She is both talented and she works hard" (adjective + clause) is not parallel and sounds awkward. Keep the structures on either side of and matching.
When both is used as a floating quantifier (mid-position), it sits after the first auxiliary verb or after the verb be: "They have both left." / "They are both tired." This mid-position is more common in spoken British English than placing both at the front of the clause.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Both of the student were late to class.
Both of the students were late to class. (plural noun + plural verb)
She is both talented and she works very hard.
She is both talented and hardworking. (parallel adjectives)
The both of them decided to quit.
Both of them decided to quit. (no article before both)
All three candidates passed — both were impressive.
All three candidates passed — all were impressive. (use all for three or more items)