both clever and hardworking

[Mary R Carter]

Dear teachers,

Can I say, "john is both a clever and hard working man" instead of "John is both clever and hardworking"?

Thanks a lot sirs/madams. I am sorry that my two threads came up one after another.

 

[Machiavelli01]

You could, although it sounds like you are reviewing John if you use "john is both a clever and hard working man".

 

[Mary R Carter]

Thanks.

 

[fiercediva]

Or, by saying John is a "clever, hardworking man" you might not have to use "both," since you've mentioned two disparate qualities and the "both" would be implied.

 

[Mary R Carter]

OK, thank you.

 

[Englishmypassion]

I think it's "hard-working" ( hyphenated). Isn't it (usually)?

 

[sorry66]

Yes, it's usually hyphenated.

 

[Parla]

Yes, that's true in AE as well.