What is brother-in-law? Pronunciation and usage in English

brother-in-law means . Learn how to pronounce and use brother-in-law through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of brother-in-law

brother-in-lawnoun

/ˈbrʌð(ə)rɪnlɔː/
Definition & pronunciation of brother-in-law

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "brother-in-law" in English. It’s a tricky one because it has a few distinct parts. Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations:

1. "Brother":

  • Pronunciation: /ˈbrʌðər/ (This is a very common pronunciation.)
  • Breakdown:
    • br: Like the “br” in "brown"
    • ʌ: This is a short "uh" sound, like in "cup" or "but." It's often clipped and quick.
    • ðer: The “th” sound is like the “th” in “this.” It’s a voiced “th,” meaning your vocal cords vibrate.

2. "In":

  • Pronunciation: /ɪn/
  • Breakdown: Pretty straightforward – the "i" as in "bit."

3. "Law":

  • Pronunciation: /lɔː/ (This is a slightly more formal/British pronunciation, but perfectly acceptable in American English.)
  • Breakdown:
    • l: Like the “l” in "lion."
    • ɔː: This is a rounded “aw” sound, like in “caught” or “taught.” It's a longer, more open sound than a simple “a.”

Putting it all together:

The whole phrase, pronounced generally: /ˈbrʌðər ɪn lɔː/

Here's a more blended, natural-sounding pronunciation:

/ˈbrʌðər ɪn lō/ (The "aw" sound is a bit shorter and clipped)

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("bro-").
  • The "in" sound: Don't overemphasize the "in." It's a quick, subtle syllable.
  • The "law" sound: Make sure you’re getting that rounded “aw” sound. Think of words like “caught” or “paw.”

Resources for Hearing it:

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Usage and examples with the word brother-in-law in English

Let's break down how to use "brother-in-law" correctly and naturally in English.

1. Definition:

A "brother-in-law" is the brother of your spouse (husband or wife). It's the male relative of your partner.

2. Common Ways to Use It:

  • Introducing someone: "This is my brother-in-law, David. He works as an architect."
  • Talking about family: "My brother-in-law is a really fun guy, he loves to cook."
  • Referring to them as part of a group: “We went to a baseball game with my wife, her brother, and his wife – my brother-in-law.”
  • Describing relationships: "I'm really close with my brother-in-law; we often hang out together."

3. Important Notes & Nuances:

  • Gender: The term is specifically for a male relative. If your spouse has a sister, her husband is your "sister-in-law" (male).
  • Multiple Brother-in-Laws: It's possible to have more than one brother-in-law. This happens if your spouse has multiple siblings. You would typically refer to them individually, like “My older brother-in-law, Mark, is a teacher.” or “I spent the weekend with my younger brother-in-law, Tom.”
  • Politeness & Formality: "Brother-in-law" is generally a casual term. You wouldn't typically use it in very formal situations (like a legal document).

4. Example Sentences (Varied):

  • "My brother-in-law just got married – congratulations to the happy couple!"
  • "I'm going to ask my brother-in-law for advice on a home renovation project."
  • "He's always so supportive, my brother-in-law is a great person."
  • “I hadn’t seen my brother-in-law in ages; it was wonderful to catch up with him.”

5. Synonyms (Less Common, but can be used):

  • Sibling-in-law: This is a more formal and less frequently used alternative.
  • Spouse's brother: A more descriptive, but slightly clunky, way to say it.

Resources to help you understand further:

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Synonyms for the word brother-in-law

Practice with vocabulary brother-in-law

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. My sister's husband is a talented architect. He's my _____.
  2. During the recent merger negotiations, I frequently collaborated with my lead _____ to ensure all legal documents were in order.
  3. My spouse's brother, who is visiting from abroad, will be attending the company's annual gala with us. He's my _____.
  4. It's crucial to maintain a professional relationship with your _____ at work, as teamwork is vital for success.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following scenarios would most appropriately describe a "brother-in-law"? a) Your cousin's husband. b) Your spouse's brother. c) The husband of your sister. d) A close male friend who is like family.

  2. Our project manager often seeks advice from an external expert in digital marketing. This individual serves as a key _____ for our team. a) subordinate b) rival c) consultant d) intern

  3. During the family's annual retreat, I had an engaging discussion with my wife's brother about investment strategies. He is my _____. a) associate b) colleague c) brother-in-law d) direct report

  4. My sister recently married a highly respected neurosurgeon. I plan to introduce my new _____ to some of my professional contacts. a) partner b) acquaintance c) brother-in-law d) mentor

  5. After the restructuring, several senior _____ were moved to different departments, which created opportunities for promotion. a) relatives b) colleagues c) subordinates d) dependents

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My husband has a brother who is a successful entrepreneur. He's launching a new startup next quarter.

    • Rewrite using "brother-in-law":

  2. The man who is married to my wife's sister is joining our book club.

    • Rewrite using "brother-in-law":

  3. The experienced senior managers provided invaluable guidance to the new hires, helping them navigate their early careers.

    • Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "senior managers" that implies their role as guides/mentors:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. brother-in-law
  2. colleague
  3. brother-in-law
  4. colleague

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Your spouse's brother, c) The husband of your sister
  2. c) consultant
  3. c) brother-in-law
  4. c) brother-in-law
  5. b) colleagues

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My brother-in-law, a successful entrepreneur, is launching a new startup next quarter.
  2. My brother-in-law is joining our book club.
  3. The experienced mentors provided invaluable guidance to the new hires, helping them navigate their early careers.

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