How to ask about siblings

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

When you ask someone if they have siblings, how do you ask?

1 Do you have any brothers or sisters?
2 Do you have any brothers and sisters?
3 Do you have any siblings?

Of the three above, which is common?

Thank you!

OP

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear all,

When you ask someone if they have siblings, how do you ask?

1 Do you have any brothers or sisters? Somewhere in the middle!
2 Do you have any brothers and sisters? Most common
3 Do you have any siblings? Least common

Of the three above, which is common?

Thank you!

OP

We use all three, as well as "Have you got any brothers and sisters?"

 

[Heterological]

Perhaps this is a BrE/AmE distinction, but I disagree. I wouldn't use "and" with a question beginning with, "do you have any..." I think the most common form is, "do you have any brothers or sisters?" followed by "do you have any siblings?" You can also ask whether someone is "an only child," meaning s/he has no siblings.

 

[bertietheblue]

Either 'and' or 'or' in BrEng - it's 50/50 for me personally.

 

[optimistic pessimist]

Hi, Heterological
Thanks for your help.

Perhaps this is a BrE/AmE distinction, but I disagree. I wouldn't use "and" with a question beginning with, "do you have any..." I think the most common form is, "do you have any brothers or sisters?" followed by "do you have any siblings?" You can also ask whether someone is "an only child," meaning s/he has no siblings.

I think this BrE/ AmE distinction interesting. If the question is "How many ... do you have?", is it okay using "brothers and sisters"?

OP

 

[Barb_D]

If the question is "How many ... do you have?", is it okay using "brothers and sisters"?

OP

Yes, but only if you had first learned that the person had at least a few. For example, he may have said something like "I come from a large family" and you reply with "Oh really? How many brothers and sisters do you have."

Even if they were all boys, that sounds more natural to me.

However, I agree with "Do you have any..." that I would use the "or" version.