Today's article deals with the determinative adjectives both and sendos, since sometimes there is hesitation in using one or another. We will see, then, when and how each of them should be used.
As we have already mentioned above both is a determinative adjective and, as such, a variable word; although only the gender (both/-as) varies, since its meaning ("the two, one and the other") is always plural.
Example:
Both participants fought for the prize, but only one of them got it.
Both participants fought for the prize, but only one of them got it.
Like all determinative adjectives, both can also function as a pronoun when it does not appear accompanying a noun, but instead replaces it.
Example:
As much as they deceived themselves, both partners knew that it would not work out > As much as they deceived themselves, they both knew that it would not work out.
We can find this terminative adjective functioning as a term in partitive constructions with the preposition of.
Example: In neither case were the pertinent security measures taken.
It is also important to know that this adjective must never appear with an article or determiner that precedes or follows it, although this was correct in the Spanish of other times such as themedieval.
Example: Both her hands caressing the lover's hair (wrong today) > Both hands caressing the lover's hair
Speaking of the determinative adjective both, we must also mention the expression of the same meaning, both (a) dos, which, although it was used more frequently in medieval and classical Spanish times, has survived to the present day; although it is true that its use is not very advisable, since it is redundant.
Example:
Marisa and Roberto, both answered no.
Marisa and Roberto, both of them answered no.
Marisa and Roberto, both answered no.
It is necessary not to confuse the determinative adjective both with the determinative adjective sendo. On many occasions, we see, even in the media, how one of them is used when the other has to be used.
As we have already pointed out sendos is also a determinative adjective, and has in common with the adjective both its condition as a variable word in terms of gender, but its meaning (« one for each person or thing mentioned «) is totally different and does not equal two.
Examples:
Next to the first, three other men appeared with guns in their hands.
Five candidates presented themselves with two projects.
To conclude, we will say that we should never use the determinative adjective sendo as a synonym for two or both without distributive value, since its meaning "one for each" isindependent of the number, although always plural, yes.
Example:
Miguel and Raúl, received two gifts > A gift each.
Miguel and Raúl, I received both gifts > Two gifts each.
This is the end of our article and we hope that, from now on, you will be clear about when and how you should use these determinative adjectives to correctly express these two concepts that apparently seem similar, but are actually totally different.
