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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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Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 14, 2025 • 6808 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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