Both
'Both' has many functions in English. However, if you do not know how to use it, you may make mistakes. To avoid that, read this lesson.
Both is a controversial word in English. If you do not know how to use it, you may make mistakes. In this lesson, we have gathered information about both and its uses.
Functions of 'Both'
1. 'Both' as a Determiner
Use
Both as a determiner is used to refer to two things rather than one. It heads a noun to modify it. Look:
The two books
I love
Position in a Sentence
Both as a determiner is used before nouns to add another information to them. Look:
'Both' is before 'countries.'
I love
2. 'Both' as a Pre-determiner
Use
Both as a pre-determiner is used to modify a noun. They are placed before the central determiners. Look:
I talked to
Position in a Sentence
Both as a pre-determiner is used before determiners to modify it. It may be placed before an article too. Take a look:
I talked to
'These' is a determiner and 'both' is a pre-determiner.
3. 'Both' as a Pronoun
Use
Both as a pronoun refers to a noun it replaces. It refers to the two people or things it replaces. For example:
I want
I have a guitar and a percussion.
'Both' refers to 'a guitar and a percussion.'
Position in a Sentence
Both as a pronoun can be the subject or the object of the sentence as it replaces them. Take a look:
'Both' is a pronoun that has replaced the subject.
I have two books. I keep
'Both' is the object of the verb 'keep' and it refers to 'two books.'
4. 'Both... And' as a Correlative Conjunction
Use
Both as one of the correlative conjunctions is used with and to join words and phrases of equal weight in a sentence. Take a look:
This spray can
The show will be
Position in a Sentence
Both as a correlative conjunction heads phrases or words. Take a look:
The show will be
'Both' heads a prepositional phrase that acts as an adverb here.
This spray can
'Both' heads a phrase. Remember that the phrases after 'both... and' are of equal weight.
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