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Shaunm Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Use of 'both' followed by 'the'?

Hi,

What's is the actual rule of 'both'? I am always confused of situations where I have to use the word 'both' like whether it should be followed by 'the'?

Both the officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.
Both officer and clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.
Both officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.
Both of the officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.

Does any of the sentence make any sense? Sorry if it doesn't Emotion: smile

Thanks!
  

Top answer

shaunm Both the officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news. This is the one that you want. CJ

— CalifJim

  • shaunm Both the officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.
  • This is the one that you want.
  • CJ
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5 Answers
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shaunmBoth the officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.
This is the one that you want.

CJ
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Thanks!

And if I am not wrong, 'both' should definitely be followed by a 'the' in any case right?

Best,
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No.

Both officers and clerks were shocked ...
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shaunmBoth the officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news.
The articles are used because the reference is to specific people in your sentence, not because both begins the sentence. The articles would be used even if both were left out: The officer and the clerk were shocked to hear the bad news. In
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Thank you so much for the very informative explanation Emotion: smile
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