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.
4
votes
2answers
108 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
52 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
37 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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
56 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
2answers
81 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
189 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
96 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
233 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 ...
1
vote
4answers
172 views
Usage of brackets/parentheses [closed]
When and how do we use the different kinds of brackets/parentheses — (){}[] — while writing English (not code)?
1
vote
1answer
85 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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
3answers
150 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
311 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 ...
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 ...
0
votes
2answers
133 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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
111 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
176 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 ...
20
votes
3answers
813 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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
74 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 ...
5
votes
5answers
295 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
115 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 ...
3
votes
4answers
971 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
577 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 ...
1
vote
4answers
899 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
148 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
How should punctuation marks be arranged next to quotation marks or parentheses? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When should end punctuation go inside quotes?
Where does the period go when using parentheses?
Here is an example:
My favorite word is "cat."
Here is another ...
2
votes
0answers
59 views
Dot and parenthesis at the end of line/sentence, how to deal? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where does the period go when using parentheses?
If I had a parenthesis at the end of the sentence, do I put the dot before or after it?
For example, do I write:
I ...
2
votes
1answer
516 views
Multiple sentences inside parenthesis
I have read the few questions about punctuations in parenthesis, but I think none of them answers my question. I've looked at:
Where does the question mark go — inside or outside the parentheses?
In ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
Using correct indefinite article before (in-line) parentheses [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“A/An” preceding a parenthetical statement
This is rather question of readability:
Which article should be preferred?
There is an (seemingly) easy ...
1
vote
3answers
151 views
Conventions for parenthetical inclusion of articles
Somewhat related: "A/An" preceding a parenthetical statement
When writing mathematics, one sometimes wants to write things like
x is not contained in (the closure of) the space Y.
The ...
3
votes
1answer
89 views
How does one parenthetically amend a noun in a sentence so that both the singular and plural form are included?
In a complex sentence with two subjects, each taking separate actions, the second subject is item (singular), which I want to amend to item(s) with a parenthetical s.
How do I direct the rest of the ...
4
votes
4answers
620 views
Parentheses around more than one paragraph
Does English allow one to put parentheses around more than one paragraph? Example:
Paragraph 1.
(Paragraph 2.
Paragraph 3.)
Paragraph 4.
(Of course, this is just a simple example. ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Exclamation mark before closing parenthesis [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where does the question mark go — inside or outside the parentheses?
Consider this:
Even a fool gets to be young once (but not twice!). Do you understand?
The ...
2
votes
1answer
145 views
Two parenthesized sentences in direct sequence
Is it permissible/good style to have two parenthesized sentences in direct sequence, such as in the following example?
However, this could lead to problems with A (for given B) (though not ...
7
votes
4answers
5k views
Where does the question mark go — inside or outside the parentheses?
I know that when brackets enclose part of a sentence, the full stop goes outside.
I tripped over this morning. I was distracted by a plane (which turned out to be Superman).
If it's a full ...
1
vote
1answer
276 views
What is the proper placement of parentheses? [closed]
Does it make a difference if the item in the parentheses is a single word or a full sentence? In the middle of a sentence, or at the end? Does the sentence in the parentheses get its own punctuation ...
0
votes
1answer
880 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?
4
votes
8answers
370 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?
...
4
votes
2answers
165 views
Changing plurality in parentheses
If a set of parentheses lies between a subject and its verb, and the parentheses contain an substitutive subject whose singularity/plurality disagrees with the original subject, whose ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
When to write the word “parenthetically”
I understand that if you're speaking a phrase in which you would write parentheses, you can say the word parenthetically. But when should you write the word parenthetically?
I came across this ...
2
votes
1answer
199 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),
...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
How do you make a word like “parent(s)” possessive? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the correct possessive for nouns ending in s?
"Please submit your and your parent(s)' federal tax returns." Is the possessive of "parent(s)'" correctly ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
2k 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 ...
-5
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
334 views
(I'm not sure) how to capitalize this sentence
When a sentence begins with a parenthetical clause (uncommon, I'm sure), how should the following portion be capitalized? My thought is it would be either
(In my opinion, at least[,]) the play was ...
4
votes
4answers
611 views
How do I manage periods for abbreviations with parentheses, right before a period?
"In the case of medical diagnostics, there is a cost associated with each medical procedure that provides additional information (blood test, x-ray, etc.)."
Should that end with "etc.).", "etc)." ...
10
votes
2answers
615 views
First usage of parentheses or brackets ( and )
I have found several sources (Wikipedia, Eats Shoots & Leaves) that claim Erasmus was the first person to use parentheses (also known as brackets). He supposedly called them lunulae (because they ...
5
votes
3answers
255 views
sylleptic parentheses
Here's a quote from Wikipedia:
the triple point of Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW, 273.16 K and 0.01 °C)
Now, "VSMOW" refers to "Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water", while "273.16 K and ...
10
votes
1answer
323 views
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 ...
