Keith Mack
The term brother-in-law can be confusing, and it's not always clear whether to use brother in laws or brothers in law when referring to multiple individuals. The correct plural form depends on the context and the specific relationship between the people being discussed. In general, brothers-in-law is used when referring to two or more brothers who are related to someone through marriage. On the other hand, brothers in law can be used when referring to a group of men who are brothers and also in-laws to the speaker or subject.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The brother of one's spouse; the husband of one's sibling; the husband of one's spouse's sibling |
| Plural | Brothers-in-law |
| Example | Jared Kushner is Donald Trump Jr.'s brother-in-law |
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What You'll Learn
Brothers-in-law vs. brother-in-laws
When it comes to the plural form of "brother-in-law", there is some variation in usage. The term "brothers-in-law" refers to multiple people who are each other's brother-in-law, typically through marriage. For example, if two people marry sisters, they become brothers-in-law to each other. On the other hand, "brother-in-laws" is used to refer to multiple men who are all the brother-in-law of a single person. For example, if you have three brothers who are married, you would refer to their spouses as your "brother-in-laws".
The usage of "brothers-in-law" versus "brother-in-laws" can be a bit confusing, and it's important to note that the context and audience may influence which form is more appropriate or understandable. In more formal or precise contexts, "brothers-in-law" may be preferred to maintain consistency with other similar terms like attorneys general. However, in colloquial or informal settings, "brother-in-laws" may be more commonly used and understood by the audience.
The choice between "brothers-in-law" and "brother-in-laws" ultimately depends on the specific context and relationship being described. It's worth considering the potential nuances conveyed by each term, as well as the background and familiarity of the intended audience.
While "brothers-in-law" may be more technically correct in certain situations, "brother-in-laws" is also widely used and generally understood. Ultimately, the goal is effective communication, so choosing the form that best suits the context and audience is essential.
In summary, "brothers-in-law" refers to multiple people who are each other's brother-in-law, while "brother-in-laws" refers to multiple brothers-in-law of a single person. The choice between the two depends on the specific context, relationship, and audience, with a balance between technical correctness and colloquial understanding.
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The brother of one's spouse
The term "brother-in-law" is a general term used to describe a relationship that is created through marriage. It is important to note that the brother of one's spouse is not a blood relative, but rather a relative by marriage. This means that the relationship is considered to be a step-relationship, and the prefix "step-" can be used to describe the relationship if desired.
In some cultures and families, there may be specific terms or ways of addressing the brother of one's spouse that are different from the standard "brother-in-law". For example, in India, the term "co-brother" may be used to refer to the husband of one's sister-in-law.
It is also worth noting that the plural form of "brother-in-law" is "brothers-in-law", and this term can be used to refer to multiple brothers of one's spouse or siblings' spouses.
Understanding family relationships and the correct terminology to use can be complex, especially when considering extended family and relationships by marriage. It is always a good idea to respect an individual's preferences when it comes to how they are addressed and to clarify any confusing relationships when necessary.
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The husband of one's sibling
The term "brother-in-law" is also used in a broader sense to refer to the husband of one's spouse's sibling. In this case, your brother-in-law would be the husband of your spouse's sister or brother. This reciprocal relationship can also be described as a co-sibling in Indian English.
It is important to note that the use of "in-law" indicates that the relationship is not by blood but by marriage. The children of one's siblings-in-law are referred to as nieces and nephews, with the specification of "by marriage" if needed.
The plural form of "brother-in-law" is "brothers-in-law", indicating multiple individuals who fit the description of a brother-in-law. This term can be used when referring to a group of brothers-in-law or when using the plural form grammatically.
The term "brother-in-law" is a common way to describe this specific familial relationship and is a convenient way to indicate that the relationship is through marriage rather than blood.
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The husband of one's spouse's sibling
The term "brother-in-law" is also commonly used to refer to the brother of one's spouse, and the husband of one's sibling. The reciprocal relationship between a person's spouse and their sibling's spouse is also referred to as a "sibling-in-law". This type of kinship is called affinity, and it is a relationship that is not directly related by blood.
In some cultures, there are specific terms to refer to these relationships. For example, in Indian English, the husband of one's sibling-in-law can be referred to as a "co-brother", while in Russian, the term "Зять” (Zyat’) is used for one's sister's husband.
It is worth noting that the plural form of "brother-in-law" can be written as either "brothers-in-law" or "brother-in-laws", with the former being considered more grammatically correct by some. However, the use of the latter is quite common and widely accepted in colloquial speech.
The relationship between a person, their spouse, and their spouse's sibling can be quite complex, and there may be variations in how different families choose to define and address these relationships. Ultimately, as long as all parties agree, families can choose the terms that feel most comfortable and appropriate for their specific situations.
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Pluralisation of brother-in-law
When it comes to the pluralisation of "brother-in-law", there appears to be some variation and debate. The term "brother-in-law" typically refers to the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.
Some people argue that the plural form should follow the pattern of attorneys general, resulting in the form "brothers-in-law". This form, "brothers-in-law", is often considered to sound more correct and formal. It follows a standard pluralisation rule in English where you simply add an "s" to the end of the word.
However, there is also a case for using the form "brother-in-laws". This form may be viewed as more colloquial and less formal. It treats "brother-in-law" as a compound noun, similar to "passer-by" becoming "passers-by" in the plural.
The choice between "brothers-in-law" and "brother-in-laws" may depend on the context and the audience. "Brothers-in-law" might be preferred in more formal or academic settings, while "brother-in-laws" could be used in casual conversation or when aiming for a more conversational tone in writing. Ultimately, both forms convey the same meaning and are understood by speakers, but the preference may vary based on regional or personal variations in language usage.
As an example, consider the sentence, "I have three brothers-in-law/brother-in-laws." Here, the pluralisation of "brother-in-law" is required to indicate that you have multiple brothers-in-law. The choice between "brothers-in-law" and "brother-in-laws" depends on the style or tone you wish to convey, as discussed above.
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Frequently asked questions
A brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.
The plural form of brother-in-law is brothers-in-law.
No, your brother-in-law's brother is not your brother-in-law.
No, your sister's husband's brother is not your brother-in-law.
