The word "both"

Question

Hello, can I use the word "both" with 3 or more objects? Like "both this, this and that"...?Thank you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

No you can not. Both is only for two people, animals, or objects.

if you want to refer to three or more people, animals, or objects, then you use All.

This chart will hel you understand when to use them

Thinking (Spain)

SUMMARY FOR THESE STRUCTURES

THE STRUCTURE	IS USED TO INDICATE THAT:	THE VERB IS IN 3^rd PERSON AFFIRMATIVE	AND WE USE THIS STRUCTURE:
Neither of	Two alternatives are not possible or true	SINGULAR	Before	{	the these, those my, your…etc. us, you, them
None of	Three or more alternatives are not possible or true	SINGULAR FOR Uncountable Nouns AND PLURAL FOR Plural Countable Nouns	Before	{	the, this, that these, those my, your…etc. us, you, them
Both (of)	Two alternatives are possible or true	PLURAL	Before	{	the these, those my, your…etc.
Both of	Two alternatives are possible or true	PLURAL	Before	{	us, you, them
Both	Two alternatives are possible or true	PLURAL	Without OF when you don’t have	{	the these, those my, your…etc. us, you, them
All (of)	Three or more alternatives are possible or true	SINGULAR FOR Uncountable Nouns AND PLURAL FOR Plural Countable Nouns	Before	{	the this, that these, those my, your…etc.
All of	Three or more alternatives are possible or true	PLURAL	Before	{	us, you, them
All	Three or more alternatives are possible or true	SINGULAR FOR Uncountable Nouns AND PLURAL FOR Plural Countable Nouns	Without OF when you don’t have	{	the this, that these, those my, your…etc. us, you, them

Victor_amelkin · Answer

Sam1947 · Answer

No, both can only refer to two. e.g., "I like both chocolate and vanilla flavors."

It would not be correct to say, "I like both chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors."

You would just say, "I like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors."

The word "both"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

THE

STRUCT