Both of my parents vs. Lots of my parents

[hani from vietnam]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #50 "Elementary Grammar Questions", question 5

......... of my parents live in the United States of America.

(a) Lots
(b) The two
(c) All
(d) Both

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #50 "Elementary Grammar Questions", answer 5

Both of my parents live in the United States of America.

Correct answer: (d) Both

Your answer was: incorrect
Lots of my parents live in the United States of America.
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Can you explain why I'm wrong?

hani

[Yankee]

Hi Hani

The word both refers to exactly two people or things. Lots refers to many people or things, but people don't have more than two parents.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Zellzacks]

Hi there,

Why cannot use 'all'?

Thank you

[Alan]

Hi Zellzacks,

'Parents' refers to two people - mother and father. 'All' would refer to more than two, at least.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[_Philippe]

Is there any difference between both my parents ... and both of my parents ...
Could "both my parents" have been acceptable in the test ?

[Alan]

Hello,

'Both my parents' would also work. 'Both of my parents' just emphasises the fact that it is the two of them and not just one but the meaning is really the same.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms