We use the correlative conjunctions both … and to emphasise two coordinated elements in a sentence. Subjects joined with both … and take the plural conjugation. Both … and makes a stronger connection in comparison with ‘and’ alone. We can use the pair both … and as objects of verbs, however, we don’t need to conjugate verbs:
Both Jane and Brad are tired.
Children are going to visit both grandmother and uncles in winter holidays.
She was both upset and apologetic when we pointed out to her mistake.
The suspense of the story went both swiftly and artfully throughout the end.
‘The Missing Girl’ is available both at the library and at the neighbourhood store.
Pamela both respects and loves Mrs. Joseph.
Hawkins wanted both to win Oscar and to earn money for his movie.
Mr. Robert ended up both extending working hours and cutting down on wages for his workers.
She was determined both to win over Peter to her side and to cut Nancy down to size.
She was both determined to win over Peter to her side and to cut Nancy down to size. ✗
She was determined both to win over Peter to her side and cut Nancy down to size. ✗
The above constructions lack symmetry and stumble rather awkwardly.
Again, balance in the following sentences is missing:
Though the movie was given ‘R’, it is suitable both for children and adults. ✗
Though the movie was given ‘R’, it is both suitable for children and adults. ✗
Here, in the following examples ‘both’ and ‘and’ carry equal weight:
Though the movie was given ‘R’, it is suitable for both children and adults. √
OR
Though the movie was given ‘R’, it is suitable for both children and for adults. √
