My brother- and mother-in-law are very friendly.

[Tan Elaine]

My brother-in-law and my mother-in-law are very friendly.

Cam I rephrase the sentence as follows?

My brother- and mother-in-law are very friendly.

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

My brother-in-law and my mother-in-law are very friendly.

Cam I rephrase the sentence as follows?

My brother- and mother-in-law are very friendly.

Thanks.

I wouldn't, the meaning is less clear.

 

[Rover_KE]

I understood your written thread title perfectly, Tan Elaine, but in speech you can't hear the first hyphen.

I'd write it out in full as bhai recommends.

Rover

 

[Barb_D]

In case you care, in writing, it's called the suspended hyphen.

But hey, you could always say "My husband's brother and mom are very friendly."