the brother I never had vs the brother I have never had

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'The brother I never had' implies that the speaker has always wanted a brother but never had one. 'The brother I have never had' emphasizes the speaker's current state of not having a brother. The choice between them depends on whether the focus is on the past desire or the present situation.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 14, 2025 • 6842 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a longing for a sibling relationship that never existed.

"the brother I never had"

This phrase is used to convey the idea that the speaker has always desired to have a brother but never actually had one.

Examples:

He's like the brother I never had.
Growing up, I always wished for the brother I never had.
She's the sister I never had.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 29, 2024

Aug 14, 2016 ... I've never heard it said quite like your question…the one i've heard is: “you're the brother i never had”. which makes it a bit different.
Aug 6, 2023 ... He's honestly like the brother I never had man and I've had many friends come and go, but he's always been a constant in my life. I think it's ...
Jun 13, 2016 ... ... The Brother I Never Had›. Relationships. Thank You For Being The Brother I Never Had. I know years from now, we will still be in each other's ...
In Tribute to the Brother I Never Had. RCF Fam. In Tribute to the Brother I Never Had. Doug Thorpe · August 30, 2024. This post is a different sort of ...
My life would not have been the same without Captain. He believed in me and saw things I didn't. He was the brother I never had and one of the best people I ...
Jul 22, 2018 ... Seeing the brother i never had but desired off to China ,may the good Lord continue to bless u and be a good son that u are . He calls me dad, his name is ...
Sep 13, 2012 ... The Brother I Never Had · Height like my Dad. · Athleticism. He'd probably a baseball player. After all, my Dad taught us girls to throw a ball ...
74 likes, 3 comments - dj_brandon.gio on October 2, 2022: "My cousin, the brother I never had, my best friend since birth... GETS MARRIED TODAY!
Feb 13, 2023 ... The Brother I never had passed. Guido Basso was my best friend for 63 years and I will miss his wry humor, his great bear hugs and his ...
Apr 9, 2019 ... In 2014, I lost a very dear friend Gavin Reeve-Daniels who was like the brother I never had. He was sadly and cruelly taken away from us by ...

Alternatives:

the sister I never had
the friend I never had
the mentor I never had
the parent I never had
the family member I never had

This phrase is also correct and is used to emphasize the current state of not having a brother.

"the brother I have never had"

This phrase is used to highlight the fact that the speaker currently does not have a brother, without necessarily implying a past desire for one.

Examples:

He's like the brother I have never had.
I wish I had the brother I have never had.
She's the sister I have never had.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 29, 2024

You were like the brother I have never had! You inspired me daily, drove me crazy and shared your sense of humor, bringing me to deep belly laughs! Your ...
Jul 27, 2023 ... Kelly Banwart”. Robert Davis. July 22, 2023 at. Buddy you will be deeply missed. Thank You for being the brother I have never had. Your love ...
Feb 9, 2016 ... “Kyle is like the brother I have never had.” Soon after moving in, Ross started watching Gabriel's father, Mr. Fernando Amaya Jr., announce ...
on April 27 –29. The fest's day two headliner will be none other than Keith Urban, the man Nile Rodgers described as "the brother I have never had" and "the ...
For me you have not only been the fiance of my sister bianca, you have been like the brother i have never had. I read your letters to my sister, it has been ...
Thanks for been a good friend to my son. Jason Medeiro. October 2, 2008. Darren you were the brother i have never had and for that i thank ...
I bought my 2015 Toyota Highlander from Heiser in the summer of 2014. I have taken my car for service there ever since. Joe is like the brother I have never had ...
I bought my 2015 Toyota Highlander from Heiser in the summer of 2014. I have taken my car for service there ever since. Joe is like the brother I have never had ...
Remmey- SI, camp, you have been the brother I have never had, even though you younger than me I have looked up to you, you own the school next year, good ...

Alternatives:

the sister I have never had
the friend I have never had
the mentor I have never had
the parent I have never had
the family member I have never had

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the brother I never had vs the brother I have never had

"the brother I never had"

"the brother I have never had"

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