"both my" vs "both of my"

Question

"both my" vs "both of my"

Both "both my" and "both of my" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Both my" is used when the possessive pronoun "my" directly precedes a noun, while "both of my" is used when the possessive pronoun is followed by the preposition "of" before the noun.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used when you want to indicate that two or more things belong to you.

Examples:

Both my parents are doctors.
I love both my cats equally.
Both my sisters are older than me.

Alternatives:

my both
my two
my pair
my couple
my duo

This phrase is used when you want to indicate that two or more things belong to you, with the addition of the preposition "of".

Examples:

I have read both of my books already.
Both of my brothers are taller than me.
She knows both of my secrets.

Alternatives:

my both
my two
my pair
my couple
my duo

Answer 1

both my

This phrase is correct when the possessive pronoun "my" directly precedes a noun.

Answer 2

both of my

This phrase is correct when the possessive pronoun is followed by the preposition "of" before the noun.

"both my" vs "both of my"

both my

both of my

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