'to both ...' with more than two items

Both refers to exactly two items. Most mistakes come from using both with three-or-more items or from wrong subject-verb agreement.

Below: clear rules, frequent wrong/right pairs, ready-to-paste rewrites for work, school, and casual writing, plus fast checks you can use before sending.

Short answer

Use both only when you mean two. For three or more, drop both or use all/the number. When both links two subjects, use a plural verb.

Both = exactly two (both X and Y; both of the + plural noun).
Don't put both before a list of three or more-remove it or say all/the three.
Make the verb plural when both joins two things (Both A and B are...).

Core explanation: what 'both' marks

Both signals a pair treated together. Valid forms include: both X and Y; both of the + plural noun; both + plural pronoun (both of them).

Frequent slips: (1) placing both before three-or-more items, (2) using a singular verb with both, and (3) using 'both of' with a singular noun.

Correct: both John and Maria are coming; both of the answers are wrong; both of them agree.
Watch for: both + 3+ items; both of + singular noun; both + singular verb.

Most common errors and one-line corrections

If both precedes three or more names, remove both. If both links two subjects, use a plural verb. If 'both of' is followed by a singular noun, make it plural.

Wrong: I invited both John, Sarah, and Anna to the party.
Right: I invited John, Sarah, and Anna to the party.
Wrong: Both of the student is late.
Right: Both of the students are late.
Wrong: Both of them likes coffee.
Right: Both of them like coffee.
Wrong: She is both a teacher, a researcher, and a mentor.
Right: She is a teacher, a researcher, and a mentor.
Wrong: Both the package is damaged.
Right: Both packages are damaged. / Both the package and the envelope are damaged.

Work examples - emails, reports, meeting notes

Professional text should list contributors and actions clearly. These fixes are ready to paste.

Wrong: Both the project manager, the designer, and I will present at the review.
Right: The project manager, the designer, and I will present at the review.
Wrong: Both Anna and Mark has approved the budget.
Right: Both Anna and Mark have approved the budget.
Wrong: Both of the suppliers was contacted yesterday.
Right: Both of the suppliers were contacted yesterday.
Wrong: We need both five developers for phase two.
Right: We need five developers for phase two. (If you meant two: We need both developers for phase two.)
Wrong: Both the CFO, and the COO will attend.
Right: Both the CFO and the COO will attend.

School examples - essays, lab reports, group work

Students often rush and add both where it doesn't belong. These corrections improve clarity and accuracy.

Wrong: Both the essay and the bibliography needs revision.
Right: Both the essay and the bibliography need revision.
Wrong: I gave both Sam, Emma, and Noah the feedback.
Right: I gave Sam, Emma, and Noah the feedback.
Wrong: Both of the lab report is incomplete.
Right: Both of the lab reports are incomplete.
Wrong: Both Alice and I was assigned to the presentation.
Right: Both Alice and I were assigned to the presentation.
Wrong: Both my references is outdated.
Right: Both my references are outdated.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence. Often context shows whether both belongs.

Casual examples - texts, social posts, chats

Casual writing allows more lax phrasing, but short messages still benefit from correct number and agreement.

Wrong: I like both pizza, burgers, and sushi.
Right: I like pizza, burgers, and sushi.
Wrong: Both of us is tired after the hike.
Right: Both of us are tired after the hike.
Wrong: She invited both Mike, Jen, and Leo to the barbecue.
Right: She invited Mike, Jen, and Leo to the barbecue.
Wrong: Both me and John wants to go.
Right: Both John and I want to go.
Wrong: Both the photos looks great.
Right: Both the photos look great.

Rewrite help: step-by-step fixes and copy-ready rewrites

Three quick steps: (1) Count items. (2) If two → keep both and use X and Y with a plural verb. If more than two → remove both or use all/the number. (3) Check verb agreement.

Put these rewrites straight into drafts.

If you meant two: both X and Y + plural verb.
If you meant >2: remove 'both' and keep the list, or replace 'both' with 'all' if you mean every one.
If you used 'both of': follow it with a plural noun or pronoun.

Rewrite:
Original: Both my teammates, Kara and Luis and I submitted the report.
Rewrite: Kara, Luis, and I submitted the report.
Rewrite:
Original: Both of the committee member supports the decision.
Rewrite: Both committee members support the decision.
Rewrite:
Original: I want to hire both five developers for the project.
Rewrite: I want to hire five developers for the project. (If you meant two: I want to hire both developers.)
Rewrite:
Original: Both of the files was corrupted.
Rewrite: Both of the files were corrupted.
Rewrite:
Original: She hired both Tom, Jerry, and Spike.
Rewrite: She hired Tom, Jerry, and Spike. (If she hired only two: She hired both Tom and Jerry.)
Rewrite:
Original: Both the introduction and the conclusion is weak.
Rewrite: Both the introduction and the conclusion are weak.

Memory tricks and fast checks

Quick checks you can do in seconds to catch slips.

Replace 'both' with 'the two'. If that makes sense, both is fine; if not, drop both or use all/the number.
Count items: two = both; three or more = all or list the items.
Check the verb: both linking two things requires a plural verb (are, were, have).

Check: Both the dogs are friendly → The two dogs are friendly → both is fine.
Check: Both pizza, burgers, and sushi → The two pizza... fails → drop both or use all.
Check: Both of us is ready → change to Both of us are ready.

Hyphenation, spacing & grammar notes (related pitfalls)

Both never needs a hyphen. Watch commas and similar words like all.

Hyphens: don't form compounds with both. Use two-sided, double-sided, or rephrase (on both sides).
Commas: don't put a comma between two items joined by both (Both the CEO and the CFO were present).
Both of: must be followed by a plural noun or a plural pronoun (both of the students; both of them).
Both vs all: both = two; all = every one of a group (use all with three or more).
Agreement: both + two subjects → plural verb; both of + plural noun → plural verb.

Wrong: She made a both-sided argument.
Right: She made a two-sided argument. / She argued points on both sides.
Wrong: Both the CEO, and the CFO were present.
Right: Both the CEO and the CFO were present.
Wrong: Both of the answer are wrong.
Right: Both of the answers are wrong.

FAQ

Can I use 'both' with three or more items?

No. Both implies exactly two. For three or more, remove both or use all/the number.

Is 'both of the' always followed by a plural noun?

Yes. Use a plural noun or pronoun after 'both of the' (both of the students; both of them).

Do I need a plural verb after 'both'?

If both links two subjects, use a plural verb: Both Jane and Tom are coming. If 'both of' is followed by a plural noun, the verb is plural too.

Quick fix: I wrote 'both of us is'. Is that wrong?

Yes. 'Both of us' refers to two people, so use the plural verb: 'Both of us are.'

How do I rewrite when I meant three people but wrote 'both'?

Either remove 'both' and keep the list (A, B, and C) or replace 'both' with 'all' (if you mean every one). If you meant two, name the two (both A and B).

Quick test before you send

Before you hit send: (1) replace 'both' with 'the two' to check meaning, and (2) confirm the verb is plural when both links two things.

For tricky sentences, paste them into a grammar checker to catch number and agreement errors.