Hello,

I have a question concerning the correct use of "both".
Do we use "the" after both, e.g., "both the figures show...." or "both figures show...."?

Thanks.

Both are acceptable. I prefer 'both figures'.

You could also have 'both of the figures', but I still prefer 'both figures'.

(Of note, 'both' can play the role of an adjective, adverb or noun. That is the root of the confusion. Although, in your examples, both are adjectives. In that last sentence, however, it was a noun.)