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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

The usage of both

Hi

Is it OK to say: Both of Kate’s parents aren’t home. They went out to a friend’s party.

Or we can only say

Either / Neither of Kate’s parents aren’t home. They went out to a friend’s party.

I looked up several dictionaries but I couldn't find the answer...
  

Top answer

Both is not needed. "Kate's parents aren't home" is perfectly clear as is. Both assumes two and parents assumes two.

— Doctor D

  • Both is not needed.
  • "Kate's parents aren't home" is perfectly clear as is.
  • Both assumes two and parents assumes two.
  • ) If you want to use "both," you can use it in a situation where it is not assumed.
  • aren't" format.
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7 Answers
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Both is not needed. "Kate's parents aren't home" is perfectly clear as is. Both assumes two and parents assumes two. Yes, you could also say "Neither of Kate's parents is home." (Do not use neither with not -- this is called a doubled negative and is frowned upon.)

If you want to use "both," you can use it in a situation where it is not assumed. For example: "B
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I agree completely.

Neither is home.

Both are away.
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AnonymousBoth of Kate’s parents aren’t home.
Though people might say something like that occasionally, it is definitely not the way that idea would normally be expressed. Try this:

- Neither of Kate's parents are home.
AnonymousEither / Neither of Kate’s parents aren’t
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Try not to use a universal quantifier (all, every, both, etc.) associated with a subject combined with a negative verb. It creates ambiguity.

Both of her parents are not home.

Neither is at home? Or only one, but not both, of them is at home?

Use a negative determiner with the subject and an affirmative verb instead (if that's the meaning
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Neither of Kate's parents are home.

Shouldn't it be

Neither of Kate's parents is home.
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Prescriptively speaking, "is" would be safer to use for formal English. However, when "neither" is followed by "of + plural noun", using a plural verb is extremely common -- particularly in everyday informal English.

For a bit more information about this, look at the usage note here:
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