A1 2K

Both

UK /["/bəʊθ/"]/ US /["/bəʊθ/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

used with plural nouns to mean ‘the two’ or ‘the one as well as the other’

Listen to definition

In simple words: two people or things together

Examples

• I like both chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
• Both players performed exceptionally well in the match.
• She has read both of the books that I recommended.
• You can take both routes to reach the destination.
• Both of my friends are coming to the party.

Usage notes

Use 'both' when referring to two items or people together. Avoid using it with singular nouns.

Grammar pattern

both + plural noun

Memory hint

Think of the word 'both' as two friends holding hands.

Collocations

• both sides
• both the options
• both friends

Synonyms

• two
• the pair
• the couple

Antonyms

• neither

Common mistakes

• Using 'both' with a singular noun
• 'Both' is sometimes confused with 'all' when talking about more than two
• Placing 'both' too far from the nouns it refers to