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 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.

Last updated: March 21, 2024

the brother I never had

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

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 [+]

Sep 13, 2012 ... I got a little chuckle thinking of this sewing machine as the the Brother I never had , and it only feels fitting to give him a name of his own.
Jul 11, 2015 ... By using our services you're agreeing to the updated policy. Pause. Aaron Krogh. 147-B - The Brother I Never Had (Loop). 4 years ago4 years.
Mar 2, 2016 ... "You are like the brother I never had. I am going to cherish that for the rest of my life. We have lived together for four years. I know sometimes ...
Alice: You've been a good friend of me Steve. You're like the brother I never had. Steve: Thanks. (goes home and cries...) Noooooo, I have been brother zoned.

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

the brother I have never had

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

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 [+]

Sep 30, 2011 ... Alex became the brother I have never had, and Carmen became a friend, mother and sister all in one. Every evening, Carmen and I would ...
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 such a ...
7; 0. @stesaie · @valerio_abbruzzese · @francesco__w · @ francesco_evangelisti · silviafrancescut Happy birthday Monty! You are the brother I have never had.
Oct 14, 2015 ... ... i can depend on him and that he has my back when I need him. He is like the brother I have never had I.am blessed to have him in my life.

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