fraternal twins

USAGE SUMMARY

'fraternal twins' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to siblings who were born at the same time and who do not share the exact same genetic make-up. For example, "The fraternal twins had different interests from a young age."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fraternal twins bear the resemblance of ordinary siblings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Katie and Abigail are 23-year-old fraternal twins.

The New York Times - Health

My novel, Mr. Splitfoot, is two novels, fraternal twins.

The Guardian - Books

My doctor saw two sacs, which suggested fraternal twins.

The New York Times - Magazine

For fraternal twins, the chances are 10percentt.

The New York Times - Science

"Berner and I were fraternal twins — she was six minutes older — and looked nothing alike".

The New Yorker

Their fraternal twins, Arjun, a boy, and Tina, a girl, are six.

The New York Times

A higher concordance for disease among the identical than the fraternal twins suggests a genetic component.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fraternal twins result when two separate eggs are released and independently fertilized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Identical twins share 100 percent of their genome, fraternal twins share 50 percent.

The New York Times

Like fraternal twins, the two trails snake down from their respective glacial cirques to Pinkham Notch.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing genetic studies, clarify whether you are referring to "identical twins" or "fraternal twins" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "fraternal twins" share the same genetic makeup as identical twins. Clearly state they are genetically similar to regular siblings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraternal twins" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of twin birth where two separate eggs are fertilized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fraternal twins" correctly identifies twins that developed from two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm cells. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and widely used. It functions as a noun phrase to differentiate this type of twins from identical twins in multiple contexts such as news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. The phrase's frequency is high, and its usage is grammatically sound. Remember to accurately distinguish between "fraternal twins" and identical twins when discussing genetic similarities or differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dizygotic twins

Replaces "fraternal" with its scientific equivalent, maintaining the core meaning.

non-identical twins

Emphasizes the genetic difference rather than the shared gestational experience.

two-egg twins

Highlights the origin from two separate eggs, a key characteristic of fraternal twins.

unidentical twins

A less common but still valid way of expressing the difference from identical twins.

sibling twins

Underscores the sibling-like genetic relationship.

twins from separate eggs

More descriptive, emphasizing the distinct origin of each twin.

genetically distinct twins

Highlights the genetic dissimilarity between the twins.

non-monozygotic twins

Uses scientific terminology to contrast with monozygotic (identical) twins.

unlike twins

Focuses on the differences in appearance and genetics.

ordinary siblings born together

Explains the concept by comparing them to regular siblings with a shared birth.

FAQs

How do "fraternal twins" develop?

"Fraternal twins" develop when two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in two genetically distinct individuals.

What's the difference between "fraternal twins" and identical twins?

Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg that splits, sharing nearly identical DNA. "Fraternal twins", like regular siblings, come from two separate eggs and share about 50% of their genes.

Can "fraternal twins" look exactly alike?

While "fraternal twins" can resemble each other, they are no more alike than any other siblings. Identical twins, on the other hand, typically share a very similar appearance due to their nearly identical DNA.

Are "dizygotic twins" the same as "fraternal twins"?

Yes, "dizygotic twins" is the scientific term for "fraternal twins". Both terms refer to twins who develop from two separate eggs and sperm.