Both vs. Both of

Attribute	Both	Both of
Definition	Refers to two items or people together	Refers to a specific group of two items or people
Usage	Used to indicate a combination of two things	Used to specify a particular set of two things
Examples	Both cats are black	Both of my cats are black

Definition

Both and Both of are two phrases that are commonly used in English language. Both is used to refer to two items or people, while Both of is used to refer to a specific group of two items or people. For example, "Both of my parents are doctors" indicates a specific group of two people, while "Both parents are doctors" simply refers to two parents without specifying which ones.

Usage

Both is often used in sentences where the subject is clear and does not need to be repeated. For example, "Both cats are black" is a simple sentence that uses Both to refer to two cats. On the other hand, Both of is used when the subject needs to be specified. For example, "Both of the cats are black" specifies that it is the cats that are black.

Placement

Both is usually placed before the noun it refers to, while Both of is placed before the noun and is followed by the noun. For example, "Both cats are black" and "Both of the cats are black" show the placement of Both and Both of respectively.

Emphasis

Both of is often used to emphasize the specific group of two items or people being referred to. It adds a level of clarity and specificity to the sentence. On the other hand, Both is more general and does not provide as much emphasis on the specific group being referred to.

Examples

• Both cats are black.
• Both of the cats are black.
• Both students passed the exam.
• Both of the students passed the exam.
• Both parents are doctors.
• Both of my parents are doctors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Both and Both of are two phrases that are used to refer to two items or people. Both is more general and does not specify the group being referred to, while Both of adds emphasis and specificity to the sentence. Understanding the difference between Both and Both of can help improve clarity and precision in writing and speaking English.