paternal uncle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paternal uncle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify the uncle who is the brother of one's father. Example: "My paternal uncle is coming to visit us for the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her paternal uncle was a schizophrenic in his time.

The New Yorker

Omar came under the care of his paternal uncle.

Independent

Her paternal uncle, Robert Sterne, also a professional violinist, provided musical counseling and financial support.

The New York Times - Arts

Her paternal uncle, Robert Sterne, a professional violinist, became an important mentor.

The New York Times - Arts

The bride's paternal uncle, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is the ruling king of Ile-Ife.

The New York Times

Knausgaard's paternal uncle asked to have his name changed, and has attacked the project in the Norwegian press.

The Guardian - Books

Leaving his paternal uncle Charles (later Charles IX) as regent in Sweden, Sigismund returned to Poland in July 1594.

Britannica

Knausgaard's paternal uncle asked to have his name changed, and has attacked the project in the Norwegian press.

The Guardian - Books

This house belonged to my paternal uncle but he died sometime back and I am now here alone.

The Guardian

And Saeed Jaffrey, who had the part of Omar's paternal uncle, was in the TV series Gangsters.

The Guardian

Nomenee Robinson, Mrs. Obama's paternal uncle, said he found himself stymied whenever he tried to delve into the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing family history or genealogy, use "paternal uncle" to clearly specify the relationship and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure you're using "paternal uncle" to refer specifically to your father's brother, not your mother's, to avoid misrepresenting family relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paternal uncle" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a familial relationship. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "paternal uncle" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the brother of one's father. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary function is to specify a familial relationship, avoiding ambiguity. While "father's brother" is a more literal alternative, "paternal uncle" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. It's crucial to differentiate it from "maternal uncle", which refers to the mother's brother. The phrase frequently appears in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, indicating its widespread use across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

father's brother

This is a more direct and literal way of saying "paternal uncle", focusing on the immediate relationship.

uncle on my father's side

This clarifies that the uncle is related through the father's family.

father's male sibling

This is a more formal and descriptive way of indicating the relationship.

my dad's brother

This is an informal and conversational way to refer to a paternal uncle.

my father's elder brother

Specifies the uncle is older than the father.

my father's younger brother

Specifies the uncle is younger than the father.

avuncular relative

Refers to a relative who fulfills the role of an uncle, focusing on the supportive aspect.

agnate uncle

A more technical term referring to male relatives related through the male line.

father's kin

Focuses on the relationship to the father's entire family, not just one individual.

male relative on father's side

A broad term that encompasses any male relative connected through the father's lineage.

FAQs

What is the definition of "paternal uncle"?

A "paternal uncle" is the brother of one's father.

How do I correctly use "paternal uncle" in a sentence?

You can say, "My "paternal uncle" is a doctor", or "I inherited my love for sports from my "paternal uncle"".

What's the difference between "paternal uncle" and "maternal uncle"?

A "paternal uncle" is your father's brother, while a "maternal uncle" is your mother's brother. They are uncles from different sides of your family.

Are there other ways to say "paternal uncle"?

Yes, you can also say "father's brother" or "uncle on my father's side" to convey the same meaning.