an uncle of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an uncle of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to one of your uncles. For example: My grandmother had four children, and one of them was an uncle of mine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When I was newly born, an uncle of mine went to America and he never returned.

Columbia University

I think he's an uncle of mine by the name of Denzil (spelling uncertain).

The New York Times

Campbell went first, telling a story about an "uncle of mine who used to swear a lot".

The Guardian

A genetic factor: an uncle of mine, a coal trimmer on the Garston docks, had the worst stammer you'd ever come across.

The Guardian - Film

My grandmother from Wexford, a waspish woman with a vinegar tongue, had a mean repertoire of takedowns, and an uncle of mine could spin one throwaway line into a joke, a yarn, a whole evening of entertainment.

The Guardian - Books

Wait — many years ago I remember an uncle of mine — the one who imploded — who spoke to me of a 'side-walk.' I do not remember what he said they were.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

(laughs) I'm sitting next to an old uncle of mine and he's a big poker player, so he's laughin' about that...aren't you Joe. "Joe" GL: To a degree.

Huffington Post

A great uncle of mine, Simeon Booker, had been in the forefront of this wave, as the first African American reporter hired by the Washington Post, in 1952.

The Guardian

Eventually down the line in the project, I found out that a great uncle of mine had served in Honolulu before World War II.

Vice

I added a skinny uncle (who resembles no uncle of mine), and then the girlfriend and her vicious spaniel.

The New Yorker

The funeral was for Andrew Smolenyak, an uncle of my husband's and of mine by marriage (In spite of the rarity of the surname, it's a fluke that my husband and I were both born Smolenyaks, and DNA testing shows that our respective Smolenyak families are not related - a story for another time).

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is needed, specify which uncle you are referring to by adding a descriptor, such as "an uncle of mine who lives in Chicago".

Common error

Avoid using "an uncle of mine" in situations where it's crucial to identify a specific uncle. If the context requires clear identification, use a more precise description like "my uncle John" or "my mother's brother".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an uncle of mine" functions as a possessive noun phrase, identifying a relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction to denote one of multiple uncles related to the speaker. The phrase often acts as a subject or object in a sentence, indicating the person being referenced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an uncle of mine" is a versatile phrase used to denote a familial relationship without specifying the exact individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It’s frequently found in news and media, and academia sources. When writing, use this phrase for general references, but opt for specificity when identification matters. Consider alternatives like "one of my uncles" or specifying paternal/maternal lineage for enhanced clarity. Remember that, while acceptable, the expression is not well suited for formal business or scientific content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One of my uncles

This alternative directly states the relationship without the possessive nuance of "of mine".

A certain uncle of mine

Adds an element of vagueness or specificity depending on context.

One uncle in my family

Focuses on specifying a single uncle within the family.

My paternal uncle

Specifies which side of the family the uncle is from, providing more detail.

My maternal uncle

Specifies the maternal side of the family.

An uncle on my father's side

Offers an alternative to specify the paternal lineage.

An uncle from my mother's side

Offers an alternative to specify the maternal lineage.

My mother's brother

Defines the uncle by specifying the direct family connection.

A relative of mine who is an uncle

Uses a broader term "relative" and then clarifies the specific relationship.

A member of my family who is an uncle

Uses a broader term "member" and then clarifies the specific relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "an uncle of mine" in a sentence?

You can use "an uncle of mine" to refer to one of your uncles without specifying which one. For example, "An uncle of mine once told me a story about his time in the army."

What's a more formal way to say "an uncle of mine"?

In more formal contexts, you might specify the relationship more directly, such as "my paternal uncle" or "my mother's brother", instead of the more casual "an uncle of mine".

When is it appropriate to use "an uncle of mine" over "my uncle"?

Use "an uncle of mine" when the specific uncle is not important or when you're introducing the uncle into the conversation for the first time. "My uncle" is suitable when you've already established which uncle you're talking about.

What are some similar phrases to "an uncle of mine" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "one of my uncles", "my paternal uncle", or "my maternal uncle" depending on the context and the level of detail required.