Both vs Both Of

Both means two of the two things.

Both my students passed the exam.

Both my children are married.

• When we use Both and both of before a noun with determiner, there is no difference between them.

I came across both / both of your sisters at the mall.

• We don’t use 'the' before both.

Both (the) kids are playing in the garden. (Not The both kids …)

• As a subject or object, we may also use (both of + you/us/them) with personal pronouns.

Both of us should be here at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.
I need both of you to move my house.

• Both can also be used after pronouns as objects.

I saw them both.

• We can use both with a verb as well when it refers to the subject of a clause.

We can both speak English. (both of us can… also possible)
Sam and Tom have both gone fishing. (both of them have… also possible)

Note:

We don’t prefer both in negative structures. Instead, we use neither.

Both of them aren't ready.
Neither of them is ready. ✓

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