both

the two; not only one: both shows were canceled
Not to be confused with:each – every one of two or more persons or things: take two books each; every one individually: Each one had a different opinion on the matter.; apiece: The tickets are four dollars each.

both

B0411800 (bōth)adj. One and the other; relating to or being two in conjunction: Both guests have arrived. Both the books are torn. Both her fingers are broken.pron. The one and the other: Both were candidates. We are both candidates. Both of us are candidates.conj. Used with and to indicate that each of two things in a coordinated phrase or clause is included: both men and women; an attorney well regarded for both intelligence and honesty.

[Middle English bothe, probably from Old Norse bādhar.]Usage Note: Both indicates that the action or state denoted by the verb applies individually to each of two entities. Both books weigh more than five pounds, for example, means that each book weighs more than five pounds by itself, not that the two books weighed together come to more than five pounds. Both is inappropriate where the verb does not apply to each of the entities by itself. · In possessive constructions, of both is usually preferred in standard usage: the mothers of both (rather than both their mothers); the fault of both (rather than both their fault or both's fault). · When both is used with and to link parallel elements in a sentence, the words or phrases that follow them should correspond grammatically: in both India and China or both in India and in China (not both in India and China).

both

(bəʊθ) determinera. the two; two considered together: both dogs were dirty. b. (as pronoun): both are to blame. conj (coordinating) used preceding words, phrases, or clauses joined by and, used to emphasize that not just one, but also the other of the joined elements is included: both Ellen and Keith enjoyed the play; both new and exciting. [C12: from Old Norse bāthir; related to Old High German bēde, Latin ambō, Greek amphō]

both

(boʊθ)

adj. 1. one and the other; two together: I met both sisters. pron. 2. the one as well as the other. conj. 3. alike; equally: I am both ready and willing. [1125–75; Middle English bothe, bathe]

both

1. used for emphasis

When you link two phrases using and, you can put both in front of the first phrase for emphasis. For example, if you want to emphasize that what you are saying is true of two things or people, you put both in front of the first of two noun phrases.

By that time both Robin and Drew were overseas.Both she and the baby were completely safe.They felt both anxiety and joy.These changes will affect both teachers and students.

Similarly you can put both in front of the first of two adjectives, verb phrases, or adverbials.

Herbs are both beautiful and useful.These headlines both worried and annoyed him.She has won prizes both here and abroad.

The phrase after both should be of the same type as the phrase after and. For example, you say 'I told both Richard and George'. Don't say 'I both told Richard and George'.

2. used with one noun phrase

You can put both immediately in front of a single noun phrase when it refers to two people or things. For example, you can say 'Both boys were Hungarian'. You can also say 'Both the boys were Hungarian' or 'Both of the boys were Hungarian'. There is no difference in meaning.

Be Careful!
Don't say 'Both of boys were Hungarian' or 'The both boys were Hungarian'. Also, don't use 'two' after both. Don't say 'Both the two boys were Hungarian'.

You can use either both or both of in front of noun phrases beginning with these, those, or a possessive determiner.

The answer to both these questions is 'yes'.I've got both of their addresses.

In front of personal pronouns you must use both of, not 'both'.

Are both of you ready?

Don't use 'we' or 'they' after both of. Instead you use us or them.

Both of us went to Balliol College, Oxford.Both of them arrived late.3. used after the subject

Both can also be used after the subject of a sentence. For example, instead of saying 'Both my sisters came', you can say 'My sisters both came'.

When there is no auxiliary verb, both goes in front of the verb, unless the verb is be.

They both got into the boat.

If the verb is be, both goes after be.

They were both schoolteachers.

If there is an auxiliary verb, you put both after it.

They have both had a good sleep.

If there is more than one auxiliary verb, you put both after the first one.

They will both be sent to prison.

Both can also come after a personal pronoun that is the direct or indirect object of the verb.

Rishi is coming to see us both next week.4. negative sentences

You don't usually use 'both' in negative sentences. For example, don't say 'Both his students were not there'. You say 'Neither of his students was there'.

See neither

Similarly, don't say 'I didn't see both of them'. You say 'I didn't see either of them'.

See either5. used as a pronoun

Both can also be a pronoun.

A child should eat either meat or eggs daily, preferably both.

Be Careful!
Don't use 'both' to talk about more than two things or people. Instead you use all.

See all

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.both - (used with count nouns) two considered together; the two; "both girls are pretty"some - quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity; "have some milk"; "some roses were still blooming"; "having some friends over"; "some apples"; "some paper"

Translations

两者两者的双方

both

(bouθ) adjective, pronoun the two; the one and the other. We both went; Both (the) men are dead; The men are both dead; Both are dead.两者的

both

→ كِلاarAR obacsCS beggedaDA beidedeDE αμφότεροιelEL, και οι δύοelEL ambosesLA molemmatfiFI les deuxfrEU obahrHR, obojicahrHR entrambiitIT 両方jaJA, 両方のjaJA 양쪽koKO, 양쪽의koKO beidenlNL bådenoNO, beggenoNO obaplPL, obajplPL ambosptBR обаruRU bådasvSV เหมือนกันthTH, ทั้งสองthTH her ikitrTR, her ikisi detrTR cả haiviVI 两者zhCN, 双方zhCN

both

See:

(both) feet on the ground
a foot in both camps
a plague on both your houses
bat for both sides
be speaking out of both sides of (one's) mouth
be talking out of both sides of (one's) mouth
best of both possible worlds
best of both worlds
best of both worlds, the
both barrels, with
both feet on the ground, with
both sheets in the wind
burn both ends of the candle
burn the candle at both ends
burn the candle at both ends, to (you can't)
butter (one's) bread on both sides
can’t find one’s butt with both hands
can’t find one’s butt with both hands in broad daylight
can't find (one's) butt with both hands
can't find (one's) butt with both hands in broad daylight
can't find butt with both hands
can't have it both ways
cut both ways
cut both/two ways
dive in with both feet
foot in both camps
foot in both camps, have a
give (one) both barrels
give someone both barrels
have (one's) bread buttered on both sides
have (one's) feet on the ground
have a foot in both camps
have both feet on the ground
have both oars in the water
have it both ways
have your bread buttered on both sides
have/keep both/your feet on the ground
it cut both ways
It cuts both ways
It cuts two ways
jump in
jump in with both feet
jump in with both feet, to
keep (one's) feet on the ground
keep both feet on the ground
keep both oars in the water
land on both feet
make (both) ends meet
make ends meet
one hand washes the other (and both wash the face)
play both ends
play both ends against the middle
play both ends against the middle, to
play both sides against the middle
see both sides
see both sides (of something)
smoke both ends of the cigar
speak out of both sides of (one's) mouth
speak out of both sides of your mouth
swing both ways
take (one's) courage in both hands
take your courage in both hands
talk out of both sides of (one's) mouth
the best of both worlds
the best of both/all worlds
the worst of both worlds
the worst of both/all worlds
want (one's) bread buttered on both sides
want your bread buttered on both sides
with both barrels
with both feet on the ground
with both hands
with both oars in the water
with one hand tied behind back
work both sides of the street
work both ways
you, etc. can't have it both ways

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Words related to both

adj (used with count nouns) two considered together

Related Words