What is Wrong in This Sentence ‘My Brother and Sister Go to the Same School’?

The sentence 'My brother and sister go to the same school' can be confusing for some, especially regarding capitalization and the use of possessive adjectives. To address the points of concern, let us break down the sentence and examine each element in detail.

Capitalization

The sentence should begin with a capital letter. The correct version is 'My brother and sister go to the same school.' Failing to capitalize the first letter is a basic grammatical error that can be easily rectified.

Clarity and Context

While the sentence is grammatically correct, it can be improved for clarity. Some people might assume that 'sister' refers to the same person as 'brother,' which is logically impossible. To avoid any ambiguity, it is best to explicitly state the relationship with the possessive adjective: 'My brother and my sister go to the same school.'

However, in the absence of any other context, the sentence is clear and unambiguous. Grammatically, it is correct as long as the capitalization is addressed.

Possessive Adjectives and Verb Agreement

Some might argue that leaving out the possessive adjective 'my' before 'sister' is technically grammatically incorrect. This is a point of pedantic grammar, but given the context, it is unnecessary. The plural verb 'go' clearly indicates that both the brother and sister are distinct individuals and attend the same school.

Common Usage Versus Strict Grammar

It is more common in everyday speech and writing to see the possessive adjective omitted, such as 'My brother and sister go to the same school.' This usage is understood by native speakers and readers alike. Using 'my' before 'brother' and 'sister' might make the sentence structure more explicit, but it is not strictly necessary for clarity.

The first and foremost question when constructing such a sentence should be whether the meaning is clear to the reader. In this case, it is clear that the brother and sister are two distinct individuals, and the plural verb 'go' supports this meaning.

Conclusion

In summary, apart from the capitalization issue, there is nothing inherently wrong with the sentence 'My brother and sister go to the same school.' However, to maintain precision and avoid minor quibbles, it is recommended to use the possessive adjective 'my' for clarity, especially in formal writing: 'My brother and my sister go to the same school.'

The key points to remember are:

Start the sentence with a capital letter. Use possessive adjectives for clarity, even though it is not strictly necessary. Choose a verb form that aligns with the number of subjects (in this case, plural).

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure your writing is both grammatically correct and easily understood by your audience.