"both are the same" vs "both were the same"

Question

"both are the same" vs "both were the same"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Both were the same' is used when referring to a past situation, while 'both are the same' is used when talking about a current or general situation.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that two or more things are currently identical or have the same characteristics.

Examples:

In this test, both answers are the same.
I compared the two products, and both are the same quality.
When it comes to taste, both are the same.

Alternatives:

both look the same
both seem identical
both match
both are identical
both are alike

This phrase is used to indicate that two or more things were identical in the past.

Examples:

Yesterday, I saw two cars, and both were the same model.
They showed us two pictures, and both were the same.
I had two options, and both were the same price.

Alternatives:

both looked the same
both seemed identical
both matched
both were identical
both were alike

Answer 1

both are the same

This phrase is correct when referring to a current or general situation.

Answer 2

both were the same

This phrase is correct when referring to a past situation.

"both are the same" vs "both were the same"

both are the same

both were the same

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