both
gb/bˈoʊθ/ us/bˈoʊθ/
A2
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
determiner
A2
quantity
1
Referring to two things jointly
Used to talk about two people or things together.
Usage pattern:
both [noun/plural pronoun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'both' with singular nouns; it should be used with plural countable nouns or pronouns.
Synonyms
the two (More explicit but less common in everyday conversation.)
Antonyms
neither (Refers to not one and not the other of two options.)
Collocations
both sides
|both options
|both parents
|both countries
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Both students passed the exam.
- I like both coffee and tea.
- They invited both families to the wedding.
- We need to consider both options before deciding.
Learner examples
- Both cats are sleeping.
- I like both apples and bananas.
- Both my friends are here.
- She can speak both English and French.
pronoun
A2
quantity
2
Two people or things jointly
Used instead of saying two people or things again.
Usage pattern:
both [verb phrase]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'both' with 'all', which is used for more than two.
Synonyms
the two of them (More explicit and often slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
neither (Means not one or the other of two.)
Collocations
both are
|both have
|both do
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Both were tired after the long journey.
- We saw two movies, and both were excellent.
- They both agreed to the plan.
- Both have been working here for years.
Learner examples
- Both are happy.
- They both like pizza.
- We both go to school.
- Both have blue eyes.
Grammar
Expressions
both ways
1/bˈoʊθ wˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
In two directions or manners
In two different directions or styles.
Examples
- Traffic moves both ways on this street.
- You have to look both ways before crossing.
both...and
1/bˈɑθˈænd/
fixed phrase
Including two items equally
Used to say that two things are true at the same time.
Examples
- She is both smart and kind.
- The film was both funny and touching.
on both sides
1/ˈɔn bˈoʊθ sˈaɪdz/
fixed phrase
In two opposite positions
On the left and right sides of something.
Examples
- There are trees on both sides of the road.
- Support came from people on both sides.