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Victor_amelkin Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

"Both" + two plurals; "both" + more than two items

Could you please suggest whether it is correct to use "both" before

two plural nouns ("both artists and scientists")?

Also, is it legal to use "both" to modify a list of more than three

items ("both students, parents, and teachers")? If it is gramatically

illegal, then is there a gramatically correct analogue of "both" that

can refer to more than two items?

Thanks in advance.

--

Victor
  

Top answer

victor_amelkin Could you please suggest whether it is correct to use "both" before two plural nouns ("both artists and scientists")? This sounds acceptable to me. victor_amelkin Also, is it legal to use "both" to modify a list of more than three items ("both students, parents, and teachers")?

— Mr Wordy

  • victor_amelkin Could you please suggest whether it is correct to use "both" before two plural nouns ("both artists and scientists")?
  • This sounds acceptable to me.
  • victor_amelkin Also, is it legal to use "both" to modify a list of more than three items ("both students, parents, and teachers")?
  • No, this isn't right.
  • victor_amelkin If it is gramatically illegal, then is there a gramatically correct analogue of "both" that can refer to more than two items?
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3 Answers
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victor_amelkinCould you please suggest whether it is correct to use "both" before
two plural nouns ("both artists and scientists")?
This sounds acceptable to me.
victor_amelkinAlso, is it legal to use "both" to modify a list of more than three
items ("both students, parents, and teachers")?
No, this isn't right.
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victor_amelkinis there a gramatically correct analogue of "both" that
can refer to more than two items?
You can use "altogether" with a comma, but it's a different structure:
Altogether, students, parents, and teachers have been unable to solve the problem.
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Don't worry about it - English is very flexible - just use "both" for as many items as you need, we all do (I'm British, and I work every day with the language as a translator).
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