12. BOTH and BOTH THE

Both and both the are used in the same way in reference to two particular persons or things. EXAMPLE: Both books discuss the possibility of third world war. EXAMPLE: Both the books discuss the possibility of third world war. Both is used after an auxiliary verb, or after an auxiliary verb but before the main verb. EXAMPLE: We are both regular partners in tennis. EXAMPLE: They have both started to learn English together. Both is used after a modal (e.g. can, could, may, might, etc.) EXAMPLE: They can both speak five languages. Both is used before the main verb EXAMPLE: The pythons both escaped from their cage late last night. Both is used as subject in a sentence. EXAMPLE: Both of us have been quarrelling since this morning. Both is used as object in a sentence. EXAMPLE: I think I have fallen in love with both of you. We can use of or without of after both when we are specific about what or who we are referring to. EXAMPLE: We recognize both of the men responsible for the crime. EXAMPLE: We recognize both the men responsible for the crime. EXAMPLE:   We recognize both men responsible for the crime.