a brother/sister of mine - one of my brothers/sisters

Question

I have been told by native speakers that "a brother/sister of mine" is almost never used except in poems or old literature and should therefore always be "one of my brothers/sisters".
Is it a valid opinion?

I have found a few example, though.

1) A sister of mine had a ‘big’ birthday last week and I wanted to make a special card for her >     Fancy Fold Card with Bouquet Blooms ( Annette Sullivan: Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator, Australia – )

2) Can a sister of mine, who is a lawyer, go to jail for filing a false police report about me in March of 2019? >     https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-sister-of-mine--who-is-a-lawyer--go-to-jail--4442448.html > (Highland Park, IL)> >

3) a sister of mine came down with polio >     https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Ha...3D6351C7D048256602000FB1A7/$file/C1125008.PDF > (australia)

What do you think of it?

gorlux · Answer

It has the feel of active versus passive voice.

"My sister" or "One of my sisters" is more direct and therefore stronger.

gnasher729 · Answer

A “something” of mine usually means it is one of many, and it doesn’t matter much which one. “A friend of mine had his bicycle stolen”, “a teacher of mine came to school wearing non-matching sox”.
My “something” is much more specific. Like “my maths teacher”. It is  unusual to say “a sister of mine” unless you have at least eight sisters.

GEdgar · Answer

Perhaps we can consult Ngram

It seems "one of my brothers" is the common expression; "a brother of mine" is used, but it is unusual.

a brother/sister of mine - one of my brothers/sisters

3 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question