Parentheses & Brackets
These punctuation marks help you add extra information and clarify meaning with precision.
Parentheses ( )
What Are Parentheses?
Parentheses are used to enclose information that is supplementary or non-essential to the main point of a sentence. Think of them as a quiet aside to the reader. The sentence should still be grammatically complete if you remove the parenthetical information.
When to Use Parentheses
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Enclosing Extra Information: To add non-essential details, explanations, or asides. | "He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not know." |
| Citations: To enclose in-text citations in many academic styles. | "The study found a significant correlation (Smith, 2021)." |
| Defining Acronyms: To provide the full term for an acronym after its first use. | "The report was prepared by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)." |
Brackets [ ]
What Are Brackets?
Brackets are primarily used in academic and formal writing to insert your own words into a direct quotation for clarification. They show that the added words were not part of the original text.
When to Use Brackets
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Clarifying Quotations: To insert your own words into a direct quote for clarification or to provide context. | "She said, "He [the manager] will be here tomorrow."" |
| Indicating a Change: To show that you have changed the case of a letter or a word within a quote. | "Original: "he loved it." Quoted: "[H]e loved it."" |
| Citing Sources: Used in some citation styles, often with numbers. | "The data supports this conclusion [3]." |
The Golden Rule: Parentheses vs. Brackets
Use parentheses ( ) for your own writing to add extra info. Use brackets [ ] inside a quotation to add clarifying words that weren't in the original.
Key Takeaways
- Parentheses () enclose extra but related information that is not essential to the sentence.
- Brackets [] are used to insert your own clarifying words into a direct quotation.
- Use brackets to indicate changes (like capitalization) within a quote.
- Parentheses are for asides in your own writing; brackets are for editing someone else's words for clarity.
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.