Parentheses: Difference between revisions

The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for: parentheses.

Among bracket symbols, parentheses are the 3rd pair (in order: square brackets, braces, parentheses, chevrons, and inequality signs (in red at bottom).

Parentheses (or "brackets" in UK, singular: parenthesis) are the curved punctuation marks "(  )" used in text. They are noted as left/right: the left parenthesis is "(" and the right parenthesis is ")". They are also called round brackets, curved brackets, oval brackets, or, colloquially, parens.

Parentheses have several different meanings, such as:

• noting optional text:  "(this is optional)";
• showing other word endings:  "vote(s)" or "quick(ly)"
• adjusting the meaning:  "There are some (many) pages".
• adding humor:  "They sell pre-owned (read: "used") cars".
• indicating a negative number:  $90 - $100 = ($10)
• grouping terms in a calculation:  6 x (2 + 3) = 30.
• showing emphasis for attention:  "(((wow)))".

There are also other uses for parentheses.

Parentheses enclose text which could be left out, without destroying or altering the meaning of a sentence. In most writing, overuse of parentheses is usually a sign of a badly structured text. A milder effect may be obtained by using a pair of commas around the text, although if the sentence contains commas for other uses, then visual confusion may result.

Parentheses may be used in formal writing to add more information, such as in:

"Sen. John McCain (R., Arizona) spoke at length"

They can also note "either singular or plural" for nouns, such as in the word "claim(s)".

In general, brackets are tall punctuation marks used in matched pairs within text, to set apart or interject other text. In the United States, "bracket" usually refers specifically to the "square" or "box" type.^[1][2] In British usage, "bracket" normally refers to the "round" type, which is called a "parenthesis" mark in American usage.

• Emoticon

• Lennard, John (1991). But I Digress: The Exploitation of Parentheses in English Printed Verse. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-811247-5.
• Turnbull (1964). The Graphics of Communication. New York: Holt. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) States that what are depicted as brackets above are called braces and braces are called brackets. This was the terminology in US printing prior to computers.