She never thought of it again, but ten months later, she received a letter from a girl in Holland. Both girls write to each other regularly now. (New Concept English, Book 2, L. 22) Both girls 是指 She(Jane) 和 a girl in Holland。既然是特指，为什么不用 both the girls?
如有的语言学家所指出的那样,Both is intrinsically definite... even when it is not followed by the definite article. (both 在本质上是有定的,即使它后面没有定冠词时,也是如此)。因此,上句中的 Both girls = Both the girls。类例:
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Both eyes were closed. (CGEL) 闭上了两只眼睛。
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Both (the) students were excellent. (CGEL) 这两个学生都很优秀。
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Both men looked up and immediately began to cross the room toward her. (Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code) 那两个人不约而同地抬起头，然后开始从房间的另一头向她奔来。（《达·芬奇密码》）
而 two 与 both 不同, 在表示特指时必须加定冠词:
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The two students were excellent. (CGEL) 这两个学生都很优秀。
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The two boys were carrying a large box. 两个男孩正抬着一个大盒子。