both (of) with nouns and pronouns, verbs and both...and...

A. both (of) with nouns and pronouns

1 We can put both (of) before nouns and pronouns.
Before a noun with a determiner (for example: the, my, these), both and both of are both possible.

• Both (of) my parents like riding
  


• She s eaten both (of) the chops.
  

We can also use both without a determiner.

• She's eaten both chops. ( = ... both of the chops.)

Only both of is possible before a personal pronoun (us, you, them).

• Both of them can come tomorrow.
  


• Mary sends her love to both of us

2 We can put both after object pronouns.

• I've invited them both.


• Mary sends us both her love.
  


• I've made you both something to eat.

3 Note: we do not put the before both.

• both children(NOT the both children)

B. both with verbs

Both can go with a verb, in 'mid-position', like some adverbs.

1

auxiliary verb + both
am/are/is/was/were + both

• We can both swim.
  


• They have both finished.
  


• We are both tired.

2.

both + other verb

• My parents both like travelling.
  


• You both look tired.

C. both.....and...

both + adjective + and + adjective
both + noun + and + noun
both + clause + and + clause

We usually put the same kind of words after both and and.

• She's both pretty and clever (adjectives)


• I spoke to both the Director and his secretary (nouns) (NOT / both spoke to the Director and his secretary )


• She both plays the piano ana sings (verbs) (NOT She both plays the piano and she sings ) (verb, clause)