two brothers

USAGE SUMMARY

"two brothers" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a pair of siblings, either biological or adopted. For example: "The two brothers went fishing together on the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He lost two brothers.

The New York Times

Her two brothers were killed.

The Economist

"There's two brothers.

The New York Times - Style

Two brothers going off in different directions.

The New Yorker

The other two brothers are doctors.

Independent

The pictures of those two brothers.

The New Yorker

— owned by two brothers, Paramjeet (P.J).

The New York Times

He was Predeceased by two brothers.

The New York Times

Two brothers helped foster communication across disciplines.

The New York Times - Science

Personality sketch of the two brothers.

The New Yorker

His two brothers were prime ministers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "two brothers", ensure clarity by specifying their names or roles to avoid ambiguity, especially if they are recurring characters in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "brothers's" (singular possessive) when referring to something belonging to both brothers. Use "brothers'" (plural possessive) instead; for example, "the brothers' car" not "the brothers's car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two brothers" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and common usage, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "two brothers" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a pair of male siblings. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. It appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and general discussions. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, context dictates the overall formality. When writing about "two brothers", ensure clarity by specifying names or roles to avoid ambiguity and use the plural possessive form ("brothers'") correctly. Alternatives like "a pair of brothers" or "sibling duo" can add variety to your writing. The frequent occurrence of "two brothers" in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair of brothers

Replaces "two" with "a pair of", maintaining the same meaning.

both brothers

Highlights that both individuals being referred to are brothers.

a couple of brothers

Uses "a couple of" instead of "two", which is a slightly less formal way to express the same idea.

two siblings

Replaces "brothers" with the more general term "siblings".

sibling duo

Uses a more concise and modern term to refer to two siblings.

twin brothers

Used when the brothers are twins.

the brotherly pair

Emphasizes the brotherly relationship with a slightly more formal tone.

fraternal twins

Specifically refers to non-identical twin brothers.

blood brothers

Emphasizes the familial connection; stronger than just 'brothers'.

brothers-in-arms

Implies a strong bond and shared experience between the two brothers.

FAQs

How can I use "two brothers" in a sentence?

You can use "two brothers" to refer to a pair of male siblings in various contexts. For example, "The "two brothers" inherited the family business."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "two brothers"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a pair of brothers", "sibling duo", or, if they are twins, "twin brothers".

Is it grammatically correct to say "two brother" instead of "two brothers"?

No, "two brother" is grammatically incorrect. The correct plural form is ""two brothers"".

What's the difference between "two brothers" and "the brothers"?

"Two brothers" refers specifically to a pair of male siblings, while "the brothers" implies that the brothers have already been identified or are known within the context.