own brother

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "own brother" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a direct familial relationship, often to distinguish from half-siblings or step-siblings. Example: "I can't believe my own brother would betray me like that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's my own brother.

The New York Times

I ended up firing my own brother.

The New Yorker

"My own brother has the disease.

The New Yorker

My own brother and sister didn't go".

The New Yorker

I can't represent my own brother".

The Guardian

"You can't trust your own brother".

The New Yorker

"My own brother came back a wacko".

The New York Times

"You murdered your own brother," Cersei says.

The New Yorker

He was like my own brother.

The Guardian

His own brother never asked him any personal questions.

The New Yorker

The man who knifed his own brother in the back.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "own brother" to emphasize a direct, biological relationship, particularly when contrasting with step-brothers or adopted brothers. For example, "Despite our differences, he is still my own brother."

Common error

Avoid redundant phrasing such as "my own own brother." The possessive pronoun "my" already implies ownership, making the second "own" unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

"Own brother" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a male sibling with a direct biological connection. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in expressing familial relationships and personal connections. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun to emphasize the direct familial connection, as seen in examples like "He's my own brother".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "own brother" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to emphasize a direct, biological relationship between male siblings. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and general discussions. While there are alternatives like "biological brother" or "full brother", "own brother" often conveys a stronger emotional connection. It is important to avoid redundant usage, such as "my own own brother", and to use the phrase judiciously to emphasize the familial bond effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my very own brother

Adds emphasis to the familial relationship.

biological brother

Specifies the brother is related by blood.

full brother

Indicates the brother shares both parents.

brother by birth

Similar to biological brother.

brother from the same parents

Highlights the shared parentage.

brother of mine

Expresses a sense of belonging and connection.

blood brother

Highlights a bond as strong as brotherhood.

flesh and blood

Emphasizes a deep familial connection.

brother through and through

Emphasizes the genuineness of the brotherhood.

sibling

A more general term for a brother or sister.

FAQs

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

You can use "own brother" to emphasize a direct familial relationship, especially when distinguishing from step-brothers or adopted brothers. For example, "I was shocked to learn that my own brother was involved in the scandal."

What is a more formal way to say "own brother"?

In more formal contexts, you can use "biological brother" or "full brother" to specify the direct familial connection. This can be useful in legal or medical contexts where precision is important.

What can I say instead of "own brother" to emphasize a close relationship?

To emphasize the closeness of the relationship, you could use phrases like "blood brother" or "flesh and blood". These phrases convey a deep connection and sense of belonging.

Is there a difference between "own brother" and "brother"?

While "brother" simply indicates a male sibling, "own brother" adds emphasis to the direct familial connection. It's often used to highlight that the person is a biological or full sibling, not a step-brother or adopted brother.