My and mine

The first could be used if you have one or more brothers.

The second can be used only if you have more than one. It gives the impression that you have several brothers.

He is my brother. I use this 99.99 % of the time.
He is a brother of mine. I only use this in the negative: He is no brother of mine.

AlpheccaStars He is my brother. I use this 99.99 % of the time. He is a brother of mine. I only use this in the negative: He is no brother of mine.

Thanks. I'd never have thought of that.

The only answer I got from formal schools here in Saudi Arabia is that my is dependent while mine is independent. They still teach students that there is no difference in meaning, just structure. Alas!

Thanks a lot

Is 'one or more brothers' and 'more than one brother' the same?
Thanks

No, one or more brothers covers one brother, two brothers three brothers and so on. More than one brother means there must be at least two brothers.

Thanks

But I don't understand the explanation from fivejedjon:

1. The first could be used if you have one or more brothers.

2. The second can be used only if you have more than one. It gives the impression that you have several brothers.


The first example also means 'several

martinleeThe first example also means 'several brothers'

Not necessarily. I can say 'He/this is my brother' if I have only one brother.

The first case is definite and the second indefenite

AnonymousThe first case is definite and the second indefenite

What do you mean by definite and indefinite?