founding brother

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "founding brother" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a male individual who played a significant role in the establishment of a group, organization, or nation, often in a historical context. Example: "George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are often referred to as founding brothers of the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Call him the founding brother.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This perfervidness is perhaps where Joseph J. Ellis found his notion of Washington, Hamilton, et al as a band of founding brothers.

Huffington Post

Miramax Films founding brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein may think they've mellowed with age and success, but it's still pretty easy to get their goat.

The New York Times

Three family members of "founding brothers" still have seats on Winn-Dixie board.

Forbes

The brain behind the brand, David Dand, looked at the company's Gilbey's gin bottle and saw the signatures of founding brothers W & A Gilbey.

Forbes

While the action remains in the proper era (which is roughly 1776-1804), the street-talking characters are not so much founding fathers but founding brothers with up-to-the-minute attitude.

Huffington Post

That series featured an early version of "how to survive a plague" by Orlando Zane Hunter Jr. and Ricarrdo Valentine, who founded Brother(hood) Dance! in 2014.

The New York Times - Arts

He and Doug then founded Brother Phelps, which had a more mainstream country sound than The Kentucky Headhunters did.

Wikipedia

The Mountain View-based company was founded brothers Vlad and Sergie Magdalin, along with CTO Bryant Chou.

TechCrunch

"It's the crossroads where the founding fathers met the founding brothers".

The New York Times

The last of the business's three founding brothers, J.J. Shubert, had died in 1963.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "founding brother" when referring to a male individual who played a significant role in starting an organization or movement with a collaborative, fraternal dynamic. Be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of shared creation and leadership.

Common error

Avoid using "founding brother" when referring to solo founders or situations lacking a sense of brotherhood or close collaboration. This phrase emphasizes a shared beginning and fraternal bond, so ensure the context reflects this dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "founding brother" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptive title or identifier for a male individual instrumental in the creation of something. Ludwig identifies its use in news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "founding brother" is a noun phrase used to describe a male individual who played a significant role in the creation of an organization or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and presence in news and media sources. While similar to "founding father", it is applicable in broader contexts beyond nation-building, emphasizing a collaborative dynamic. Usage is infrequent, so writers should ensure the context aligns with the fraternal and shared leadership connotations of the phrase. Consider alternatives like "founding member" for gender neutrality or when the "brotherhood" aspect isn't relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

founding father

Refers specifically to a person instrumental in the establishment of a nation.

founding member

Applies to any organization or group, not necessarily a nation.

original founder

Emphasizes the role as the initial establisher.

founding figure

A more general term for someone who establishes something.

founding partner

Specifically refers to a partner in a business or organization.

founding principal

Highlights the role of establishing core beliefs or guidelines.

founding architect

Suggests a deliberate and planned establishment.

founding visionary

Emphasizes the forward-thinking nature of the establisher.

founding pioneer

Implies venturing into new or uncharted territory.

founding spirit

Captures the essence and initial drive behind the establishment.

FAQs

How can I use "founding brother" in a sentence?

You can use "founding brother" to describe one of the key male individuals who started an organization. For example, "He is considered a "founding brother" of the tech startup".

What's a good alternative to "founding brother"?

Depending on the context, you could use "founding father", "founding member", or "original founder".

Is "founding brother" gender-neutral?

No, "founding brother" is specifically masculine. For a gender-neutral alternative, consider "founding member" or "founding figure".

What is the difference between "founding brother" and "founding father"?

"Founding father" typically refers to key individuals who established a nation or a major political movement, while "founding brother" can be used in the context of organizations, companies, or any other type of collaborative venture, although "founding father" is a more recognizable phrase.