Both vs. Both of
It's understandable that you may see no difference between these two, but let's read the article and see the similarities and differences between the two.
What Are Their Main Differences?
'Both of' can only be used before objective pronouns. 'Both' can only be used after subjective pronouns.
Differences
With Pronouns
- 'Both':
We are allowed to use 'both' after pronouns, but we cannot do the same for 'both of'.
They wanted to fire us
They
- 'Both of':
Unlike 'both', 'both of' can be used before pronouns. The important thing to know is that we can not use 'both of' before 'subjective pronouns'. It is used only before 'objective pronouns'.
Using Terms of the Same Word Classes
- 'Both':
When we are referring to two options which are of the same parts of speech, we must use 'both' followed by 'and' not 'both of'.
Remember in this case both can be followed by a singular noun linked to another singular noun.
'Both'
After 'both' we are supposed to use plural countable nouns. Remember, We can not use a singular noun after it unless it is followed by a determiner which is discussed below.
The theories of
- 'Both + determiner':
If there is a determiner after 'both' it can be followed by either plural or singular noun but it can be linked to another plural or singular noun of the same kind by the linking word 'and'. We mean the structure is:
[both + determiner + singular/plural noun + and + determiner + singular/plural noun]
'Both of'
'Both of' is used before noun phrases we mean before (determiner + noun). But the most important thing to know is that we can not use singular nouns in this case and after 'of'.
'You and Me Both'
As rare as it looks it is normally used in spoken English. The expression 'you and me both' is used to say something is true about you and the person talking to you. Look at the examples to be clarified.
Using 'Both ... as Well as ...'
We can use two adjectives after 'both' and one or more adjective after 'as well as' to say that the adjectives all are true about the person or thing. Let us take a look at some examples to be clear. Remember, we can use both before adjectives on their own. The whole rule is used for 'both' not 'both of'.
Katherine is
Billie is
Similarities
In Combination with Determiners
- Both and both of:
are used before a (determiner + noun). In other words, they are used before noun phrases.
What They Refer to
'Both' and 'both of', refer to two people or things in a group of two, at the same time.
Using 'The' before 'Both' and 'Both of'
Using 'the' before both and both of is not correct because 'both' and 'both of' somehow play the role of the definite article. However, in spoken English, sometimes to put emphasis we can use 'the' before 'both' or 'both of'.
'Both of You' or 'You Both'?
Actually, 'both of you' and 'you both' are correct and both are used in normal English Grammar, but using 'you both' seems to have an emphasis on it. This is actually true for all subjective and objective pronouns. You use a subjective pronoun before 'both' and an objective pronoun after 'both of'.
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