"once both are done." vs "once both of them are done."

Question

"once both are done." vs "once both of them are done."

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Once both of them are done' is more specific and refers to two particular things being completed, while 'once both are done' is more general and can refer to any two things being completed.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

This phrase is more general and can refer to any two things being completed, without specifying them.

Examples:

We can leave once both are done.
Once both are done, we can move on to the next activity.

Alternatives:

once both of them are done
once they are both done
once both tasks are completed
once both assignments are finished
once both of those are finished

This phrase is used when referring to two specific things that need to be completed before something else can happen.

Examples:

We can move on to the next step once both of them are done.
Once both of them are done, we can start the presentation.

Alternatives:

once both are done
once they are both done
once both tasks are completed
once both assignments are finished
once both of those are finished

Answer 1

once both are done.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

once both of them are done.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"once both are done." vs "once both of them are done."

once both are done.

once both of them are done.

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