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Both/ both of - English lesson

You always remember that BOTH implies TWO elements (people, objects, emotions or sentiments etc.). Therefore, you use BOTH (as a pronoun, an adjective or an adverb) just as you feel it!

Therefore, you have to revise some basic rules.

1) BOTH= "two TOGETHER", sometimes: "one and the other". It can be placed next to a verb or before a noun:

- My parents are both teachers. // Both my parents are teachers.

- Our friends Linda and Kevin both play tennis in tournaments.// Both Linda and Kevin play tennis in tournaments.

2) You can read and hear BOTH + noun and BOTH THE + noun... but never the both...

- Both vases I've lent you are (made of) crystal. Be careful not to break them.

* Before a noun preceded by a determiner, it's possible to use BOTH or BOTH OF, but before a pronoun, you must use BOTH OF.

- Both (of) my dogs // Both of them... // Both of mine (the two items belonging to me...)

3) BOTH and THE TWO (of them) are often real equivalents and can replace each other.

- Yes, I like both cars/ the two cars, but I prefer the red one!

If you want to stress differences, prefer the use of THE TWO + noun :

- The two brothers are very different, though they look alike. (and not *Both brothers are different... )

4) BOTH... AND... = "one item... and... another one".

- Tommy practises both tennis and basketball.

There you are... Now, to end this lesson, you'll have to face the following test! Go for it!

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1. are crazy about chocolate and insist on having a chocolate cake for their birthday parties.

My brothers at Stanford University.

3. 'Look what you’ve done! are broken now.'

4. I’ve known him for years and know he’s .

5. can’t be compared: one is a sports car, and the other one is a classic car.

6. 'I liked , but I really appreciated the comedy.'

7. He speaks Chinese and Japanese, and often flies to Asia on business.

8. 'Obviously, we can say Paul is a real artist; he is writer and a well-known painter.'

9. 'Take care not to break the glass! Hold it with not to drop it!'

10. 'Kyle and Ian were drunk last night, and are sleeping it off just now. Dennis didn’t drink!'

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