Both of Them Is vs. Both of Them Are – Which is Correct?
When the subject is “both of them,” use “are,” not “is,” because “both” refers to two people or things and takes a plural verb. The correct sentence is “Both of them are ready.” Use “is” only when the subject is singular, such as “One of them is available now today.”
A concise comparison of the two patterns appears in Both Are vs. Both Is.
Both of Them Is or Are – Which is Correct?
“Both of them are” is the correct form in standard English. The word both refers to two people or things, so it requires the plural verb are.
“Both of them is” is incorrect when both of them is the subject. This error commonly occurs because them appears later in the phrase, or because speakers focus on the individual people rather than the pair as a plural subject.
Compare these sentences:
- Both of them are talented.
- Both of them are coming to the meeting.
- One of them is talented.
- Each of them is coming to the meeting.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the number test: replace both of them with they. Because “They are” is correct, “Both of them are” is also correct. If you replace the phrase with one or he, use is: “One of them is ready” or “He is ready.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| both of them are | Plural subject and verb phrase | Refers to two people or things | Both of them are excellent musicians. |
| both of them is | Incorrect construction | Uses a singular verb with a plural subject | Incorrect: Both of them is excellent. |
How to Use “Both of Them Are”
Use both of them are when referring to two previously identified people, animals, objects, or ideas. The pronoun them is the object form of they, while both emphasizes that the statement applies to the two members together.
This construction is natural in casual conversation and appropriate in formal writing. It can be followed by an adjective, a present participle, a noun phrase, or a prepositional phrase.
Example 1: Both of them are qualified for the position.
Example 2: Both of them are waiting outside the theater.
Example 3: Both of them are experienced engineers.
What are the different forms of “Are”?
Are is a present-tense form of the irregular verb be. It is used with you and with plural subjects, including we, they, and phrases such as both of them.
- Present singular: I am, you are, he is, she is, it is
- Present plural: we are, you are, they are
- Past tense: I was, he was, she was, it was; you were, we were, they were
- Past participle: been
- Present participle: being
Examples include “Both of them are here,” “Both of them were invited,” and “Both of them have been helpful.” The form changes according to tense, but the subject remains plural.
Etymology of the word “Are”
Are comes from the Old English verb beon and is related to forms of the verb be found in several Germanic languages. English preserves several different forms of this highly irregular verb, including am, is, are, was, and were.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject-verb agreement and pronoun number makes it easier to choose between is and are after phrases such as both of them.
- Subject-verb agreement: A verb must agree with its subject in number. A plural subject takes a plural verb, so “Both of them are” is correct.
- Plural subjects: Words such as both, many, and several generally refer to more than one person or thing and take plural verbs.
- Singular indefinite pronouns: Words such as each, every, and either usually take singular verbs. Therefore, “Each of them is ready” is correct.
- Pronoun agreement: The pronoun and verb should match the number of the subject. They are is plural, while he is and she is are singular.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples reflect the kinds of sentences commonly found in news reports, interviews, novels, and movie dialogue:
- News reporting: “Both of them are expected to attend the hearing.”
- Sports coverage: “Both of them are competing for the national title.”
- Movie dialogue: “Both of them are waiting for us outside.”
- Historical writing: “Both of them are remembered for their contributions to science.”
- Fiction: “Both of them are silent, but neither wants to leave.”
In each example, both identifies two subjects, so the verb must be are. A singular alternative would be “One of them is waiting outside.”
Are Synonyms
Are is a grammatical form of the verb be, so it does not have one universal synonym. Depending on the sentence, another verb may communicate a similar idea, but these alternatives are not always interchangeable.
| Synonym or Alternative | Definition |
|---|---|
| exist | To be real or present; used in some contexts instead of “are.” |
| remain | To continue in a particular state or place. |
| appear | To seem or look a certain way. |
| represent | To stand for or correspond to something. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it “both of them is” or “both of them are”?
The correct form is “both of them are.” The word both refers to two people or things, making the subject plural.
Question 2: Why is “both of them is” incorrect?
“Both of them” is a plural subject, but is is a singular verb. The singular verb does not agree with the plural subject.
Question 3: Is “one of them is” correct?
Yes. One is singular, so it correctly takes is: “One of them is absent.”
Question 4: Is “both are” also correct?
Yes. You can say “Both are ready” when the people or things have already been identified. “Both of them are ready” is also correct and slightly more explicit.
Question 5: Should I say “both of them were” in the past tense?
Yes. Use were for the past tense: “Both of them were invited.” The subject remains plural even though the tense changes.
Conclusion
Use “both of them are” because both refers to two people or things and requires a plural verb. Use “one of them is” when referring to only one member of the group. Pro Tip: Consistent subject-verb agreement strengthens your credibility in professional emails, reports, applications, and presentations.
