This tag is concerned with the usage of the glyphs ( and ), known as parentheses (singular parenthesis) in American English and as brackets in British English.
11
votes
1answer
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Writing the most important part of a sentence (at the end, between parentheses)
I've seen this writing style several times, where the most important part of a sentence - or a twist - is put at the end between parentheses. This is typically used in titles and gives the sentence an ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Is the usage of parentheses correct? [closed]
Growth solves (nearly) all problems.
The above sentence can be taken to mean "Growth solves nearly all problems" or "Growth solves all problems".
But, is the usage of parentheses correct? If ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the correct ways to express parenthetical comments?
I've seen parenthetical comments that are inserted mid-sentence (like this) and I've also seen parenthetical comments that are inserted after the terminal punctuation symbol of a sentence. (Like ...
52
votes
6answers
2k views
“A/An” preceding a parenthetical statement
When a/an precedes a parenthetical aside (sometimes seen in informal/conversational writing), should the vowel rule depend on the first word in parentheses, or the next word in the "regular" flow of ...
4
votes
2answers
118 views
Parenthetic Apposition or not?
Please settle a debate for me. Here is the sentence in question:
Excessive, incorrect, use of the word "like" is unbelievably irritating.
The criticism is against the comma following the word ...
0
votes
0answers
68 views
What should I do when two clauses that must be in parenthesis sit next to each other in my sentence?
I'm writing my thesis dissertation and in the results section I'm showing my results with this sentence:
A small correlation between hit position and time was found for SS2 ($r=-0.143, ...
3
votes
1answer
44 views
Reference to word or phrase that has previously appeared in parentheses
Consider the following sentence:
There are three options (Halifax, Winnipeg and Saskatoon). Of the
three, Winnipeg is the best choice because of X, Y and Z.
The sentence is pretty ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
How to read parentheses equation [closed]
I have problems with reading mathematical equations in which there are parentheses; could anybody help me?
For example:
(x−a) (x+b) = 5
(x−a) + 2 (a+10) = z
2 + (10−a) d ...
2
votes
4answers
200 views
Usage of brackets/parentheses [closed]
When and how do we use the different kinds of brackets/parentheses — (){}[] — while writing English (not code)?
-1
votes
1answer
68 views
Lowercase Letter in Brackets [duplicate]
Please look at the following sentence with the bracketed lowercase letter.
“Doctor Rogers' thesis states that ‘[p]atients often display psychosomatic symptoms.’ ”
Is the author decapitalizing the ...
3
votes
1answer
136 views
Bracket placement
My idea of using of various brackets is unclear; can anybody clarify as to where exactly I use () and []? Furtermore, are {} used in regular grammar?
10
votes
7answers
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What is the common name for brackets, braces, and parentheses?
I need to name a variable containing ()[]{}, what is the common name for all of them?
Two side questions:
parentheses is plural, or singular, or both?
is abbreviating it as parens understandable?
1
vote
1answer
116 views
What punctuation mark should I use? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the proper use of [square brackets] in quotes?
What do brackets in a quote mean?
When I add information beside a word in a Bible verse, what bracket should I ...
3
votes
1answer
150 views
Entire sentence in parentheses
I am formatting a new book for my company and ran into a problem.
There is a sentence that reads:
Before beginning, watch Part I in the DVD series, God & the History of Art. (If available as ...
-2
votes
2answers
98 views
Parenthesis and quotations having punctuation before AND after them [closed]
I'll have to come up with some examples to show you my question:
I know if a sentence is inside either, the punctuation is inside (I also know I use a lot of comma splices. I think of the way the ...
53
votes
8answers
3k views
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses?
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses (for example, if I (meaning myself) write like this)?
11
votes
1answer
4k views
How to deal with abbreviations like 'etc.' at the end of parentheses which are closing a sentence?
In Hungarian, when there's a dot both inside and outside parentheses at the end of a sentence, we write it as follows:
Sok állatom van (kutya, macska stb.).
(Meaning: I've got many animals ...
4
votes
2answers
253 views
When to choose em dash over parenthesis for parenthetical phrases?
According to Wikipedia:
The em dash, m dash, m-rule, or "mutton" (—) often demarcates a break
of thought or some similar interpolation stronger than the
interpolation demarcated by parentheses
...
1
vote
1answer
110 views
Double parentheses ((. . .))
I wonder why the author used two parentheses in the sentence below:
While touring the Center for Agrobiotechnology at Monterrey Tech, its
director, Guy Cardineau, a scientist from Arizona, ...
8
votes
4answers
244 views
Should enclosing commas be treated as parentheses?
I just read the following in Dan Ariely's book Predictably Irrational,
[...] Zoe, and the other kids to whom I offered the same deal, was
completely blinded by [...] p. 57
To me it would have ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
What does an exclamation mark inside parentheses “(!)” mean?
What does an exclamation mark inside parentheses "(!)" mean? I saw this in a book review I was reading and I didn't understand what the use of it was. Can someone help me?
1
vote
1answer
91 views
Is it alright to have a sentence with a parenthetical remark that has an “i.e.” and an “etc.”?
An example would be "The first field is the number (i.e. A001, A013, etc.) in accordance with..."
The actual details of the sentence do not matter, it is the parentheses that is being referenced in my ...
2
votes
3answers
166 views
How do you punctuate around parentheses?
Which of these punctuation examples is more correct?
On December 7, 1941, ("a date which will live in infamy") Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
On December 7, 1941 ("a date which will live in ...
2
votes
1answer
195 views
Is there anything wrong with this sentence? [closed]
I'm focused on the punctuation. If anybody can help point out if there are any errors, I'd appreciate it.
The two characters in the band are
James (left—who I worked with
previously for his ...
5
votes
3answers
380 views
Number agreement when using “(s)” for optional plural
I have a question about the following construction and which instance is correct.
Selecting an appropriate study topic(s).
Selecting appropriate study topic(s).
When it is both singular ...
20
votes
3answers
885 views
What is the optional plural form of a word that ends in “‑y”?
I guess “optional plural” is the correct term. I’m referring to things like
It can be found at the following location(s).
Please pick up your ticket(s).
But how do I do that to a word that ends ...
9
votes
3answers
558 views
How to deal with irregular plural(s)?
What happens if you have a written phrase like
We were looking at the same poster(s).
but with a noun that has an irregular plural? E.g. with baby/babies, would this be the correct form?
We ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Parenthetical pluralization of words ending in “-y”
Sentences constructed with a word written in the singular and parenthetically in the plural are straightforward when that word does not end in -y, e.g.:
List all applicable employee(s).
How does ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
When a sentence uses an optional plural, should the rest of the sentence treat it as singular or plural?
Consider the following sentence:
We assume that the individual(s) possesses some general knowledge of the rules of football.
Is "possesses" correct there? Should it be "possess"? Is the rule ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Singular or plural verb when pluralisation is used in parentheses [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When a sentence uses an optional plural, should the rest of the sentence treat it as singular or plural?
Which is correct?
Buy an apple from the vendor(s) that are ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
“a” vs. “an” when the following word is in a bracket [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“A/An” preceding a parenthetical statement
Let's say I send a text to someone saying:
Can you get me a coffee?
Over here, I use a as the following word doesn't ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
Use of “e.g.” — are parentheses necessary?
Is it appropriate to use "e.g." in a sentence without using parentheses?
This administrative access control should provide visibility into access via multiple vectors (e.g. group access rights ...
0
votes
2answers
147 views
Is it correct to use multiple brackets in a sentence? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses?
Sometimes I want to explain something a bit further twice or more in the same sentence, and I usually find it awkward to use or not ...
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votes
1answer
115 views
Best way to phrase a sentence with parenthesis [closed]
I'm not sure exactly how to ask this question without giving an example, so here it is. What's the best way to phrase something like this:
Found 3 errors (and gave 2 suggestions) for 'Some Book'
...
1
vote
2answers
189 views
Parenthetical statements in direct speech
In some novels, I have often seen parenthetical statements used within direct-speech.
e.g. from War and Peace Page 1
Non, I warn you, if you don't say this means war — if you still defend all ...
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votes
8answers
372 views
Nested parentheticals — restructuring for clarity
It's widely known that the name "JavaScript" is trademarked by Oracle (formerly a trademark of Sun, formerly a trademark of Netscape).
What was formerly a trademark of Netscape?
Sun?
Oracle?
...
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votes
1answer
76 views
Placement of “[Whispers.]” in a dialogue line [closed]
A book containing a transcription of some historical conversation has someone by the name Fred asking a question:
Fred: "What is the recipe for Orange Julius?" [Whispers.]
George: "No, it is ...
0
votes
0answers
128 views
Where do I place the closing character when I end a sentence with parenthesis? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where does the period go when using parentheses?
Which of the following should I use? Are there any exceptions to the rule?
I enjoy breakfast (sometimes).
I ...
3
votes
3answers
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When using complete sentences in parenthetical e.g. or i.e. situations, should the first word be capitalized?
In a bulleted list of very technical sentences, where each bulleted item has one or two parenthetical examples or restatements which are complete sentences, should the first letter of each e.g. or ...
2
votes
1answer
206 views
Parentheses vs. commas vs. hyphen or dash in a list of people
In a list of people published in a bulletin, which is correct?
We continue in prayer for: Amy B.(cancer), T. Jones(nephew of Tim), Lillie (on the death of her brother), Sally(Nursing Home),
...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
In which cases is a comma/period placed inside or outside of parentheses?
Are there cases where a period is placed inside parentheses? In which cases the period (or a comma) should be placed inside the parentheses?
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votes
0answers
121 views
If parentheses close the sentence, where should period be? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
In which cases is a comma/period placed inside or outside of parentheses?
Consider the following sentence:
Now, it is highly attributable that professionally I never ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I correctly use the possessive apostrophe with a parenthetical citation?
Is the apostrophe in the right place in the following sentence?
Pendleton, et al. (2002)’s research implies that extension of treatment allows for greater weight loss.
0
votes
1answer
881 views
“—” vs. “;” vs. “,” vs. “()” — what's the difference? [closed]
All of these punctuation marks seem to have the same purpose.
Is there any general guideline for picking one for each use case?
9
votes
3answers
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Is there a grammatical rule for using “read” between parentheses? [closed]
As an example:
I am bored (read: lazy).
I wish to know if English Grammar has a formal construct for this usage.
5
votes
5answers
352 views
Which would you place in parentheses: the expansion or the abbreviation? [closed]
When dealing with abbreviations, should you parenthesize the abbreviation or its expansion? I have seen it both ways. Can anyone make a good case for preferring one style over the other?
5
votes
2answers
120 views
Does use-mention distinction warrant breaking conventions?
Does use-mention distinction sometimes warrant breaking the following capitalization and punctuation conventions?
American convention recommends placing punctuation within quote marks.
Sentences ...
2
votes
4answers
604 views
Comma placement following a coordinating connector
Is there a de jure standard in print media for comma placement following a coordinating connector?
The situation is perilous, but if we are prepared to act promptly, there is still one chance of ...
5
votes
4answers
617 views
Where to insert comma(s)?
Compare these:
She tried, and, as expected, failed.
She tried, and as expected, failed.
She tried and, as expected, failed.
She tried and as expected, failed.
She tried and (as ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
How do I deal with quotation marks, parenthesis and period all at the end of a sentence? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where does the period go when using parentheses?
I have never seen this particular issue addressed; I looked around and couldn't see anything that specifically addresses ...
