both

Used to refer to two people or things together, indicating that each of the two is included.

• 🇫🇷S'emploie pour désigner deux personnes ou choses ensemble, en indiquant que chacun des deux est inclus.

1. The two considered together A1 formal

   Referring to two people or things together; the two.

   • Both children are playing in the garden.
   • She held both books in her hands.
   • Both options seem equally good.

   🇫🇷l'un et l'autre

   Synonymes: pairtwo

   Antonymes: neither

• more both comparative form
• most both superlative form

This word functions as a distributive determiner that refers to two people, things, or groups considered together as a complete pair. It emphasizes that the statement applies equally to both items in the pair without exception, helping to indicate totality for exactly two entities. It typically precedes plural nouns or noun phrases and can also appear before other determiners such as possessives or demonstratives.

• 🇫🇷Déterminant utilisé pour désigner deux objets ou personnes ensemble, en soulignant que l'énoncé s'applique aux deux sans exception. Peut aussi signifier « l'un et l'autre » ou « les deux ensemble ».

1. Distributive determiner referring to two items together B1 formal

   Used before a plural noun or noun phrase to indicate that the following statement applies to each of exactly two people or things equally. It highlights the inclusion of the entire pair and often stresses that there are no exceptions within those two.

   • Both options seem equally attractive to most voters.
   • She invited both friends to the celebration last weekend.
   • Both engines started smoothly after the repair work was completed.
   • The committee reviewed both proposals carefully before making a final choice.
   • Both sides of the argument contain valid points worth considering.

   🇫🇷les deux, l'un et l'autre

2. Used with other determiners (predeterminer position) B1 formal

   Appears before another determiner such as 'the', 'my', 'these' or similar, followed by a plural noun, to refer to the complete pair of specified items. In this construction it can optionally be followed by 'of' with little change in meaning.

   • Both the candidates performed well during the interview process.
   • I enjoyed both my trips to the mountains this year.
   • Both these paintings belong to the same private collection.
   • She thanked both her teachers for their valuable guidance.
   • Both of our suggestions were accepted by the team without hesitation.

   🇫🇷les deux (avec déterminant)

A word used to refer to two people or things together, indicating that the statement applies to each of the two equally. It functions as a pronoun when standing in place of previously mentioned nouns or noun phrases to avoid repetition, emphasizing that both items share the same quality, action, or characteristic.

• 🇫🇷Pronom utilisé pour désigner deux personnes ou choses ensemble, indiquant que l'énoncé s'applique à chacune d'elles.

1. As a pronoun referring to two people or things A2 formal

   Used independently to replace two previously mentioned nouns or a noun phrase, showing that the same statement is true for each of the two. It always refers exclusively to exactly two entities and takes a plural verb.

   • There are two options on the menu. I like both equally.
   • My parents are coming to visit. Both are excited about the trip.
   • She invited her two best friends, and both accepted the invitation.
   • The two teams played well, but both lost important players due to injury.
   • I bought two shirts yesterday, and both fit perfectly.

   🇫🇷pronom signifiant l'un et l'autre

2. In constructions with personal pronouns (they both, we both, etc.) B1 formal

   Placed after a subject or object pronoun to emphasize that the action or state applies to each member of a pair. It adds focus without changing the core meaning but highlights the inclusion of both individuals.

   • They both decided to study abroad next year.
   • We both enjoy reading mystery novels in our free time.
   • The coach praised them both for their excellent performance.
   • You both need to arrive early if you want good seats.
   • Let’s open them both now and see what is inside.

   🇫🇷tous deux / toutes deux (après un pronom)