Parentheses
Parentheses (a pair of
punctuation marks) are used to add additional information or used for
complementary explanations.
- The teacher (who has given us homework) is absent today.
- The movie (which I watched last night) was amazing.
- You must write the following information: (1) name, (2) father’s name, (3) class, and (4) registration number.
Uses of Parentheses
For Additional Information
Different
punctuation books note that we use parentheses to add additional information.
The additional information can be explanatory, supplementary, or illustrative.
The additional information is non-essential information. We can omit the
additional information without affecting the meaning of a sentence.
- One of my teachers (Mr. John) supported me a lot.
- We arrange different events (e.g. parents’ day, culture day, or prize distribution ceremony) in our school.
Around Numbers or Figures in List
We
use parentheses in a list of items around numbers or figures. It is also
possible to use a single closing parenthesis.
- I bought three items today: (1) shoes, (2) waistcoat, and (3) mobile.
- Every form must have these items: (a) name, (b) father’s name, (c) address, and (d) contact number.
In-tax Citation or Reference Information
Citations
are placed in academic papers, journals, or books. Two terminologies are used
for the citations. One is the American Psychological Association (APA Style), and
the other is parenthetical citation according to the Chicago Manual. We use
parentheses in citations including the year of publication, the author’s name,
and the page number(s).
- According to Jones (2018), “Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time.”(p.199)
Parentheses in Mathematical Problems
Parentheses
are used in mathematical problems to group numbers or variables. Parentheses
are used for the order of operations.
- 10 – {5 + (6 - 2) +3}
In
this example, you need to solve or operate the mathematical operation within
the parentheses first.
Alphanumeric Outlines
Parentheses
can be used in alphanumeric outlines to organize headings. They are used for
minor subdivisions.
- 1. Sentences
- A. Definition of a Sentence
- B. Examples of Sentences
- 2. Types of Sentences
- A. Statements
- B. Commands
- C. Exclamations
- D. Questions
- 1. Yes/No Questions
- 2.
Wh-questions
- (a). Definition of Wh-question
- (b). Wh-question Words
Around Spelled-out Abbreviations and Numbers
Parentheses
are used around abbreviations and numbers when we use them with spelled-out
words or numbers.
- I have sixty (60) dollars in my account.
- I
will be waiting for you in the student service office (SSO).
Punctuations and Capitalizations
An
entire sentence in parentheses does not end with a period if it is part of
another sentence. The first letter is also not capitalized if it is not a
proper noun.
- Please call him (you will find it beneficial).
When
an exclamation or question mark is needed inside the parentheses, the mark is
used inside the parentheses. The first letter is also capitalized. This rule is
applied only when the mark is different from the terminal punctuation mark of
the sentence.
- Do you know (when John calls her)?
- Ali told me (Do you remember?) that I was not responsible.
If a
sentence (in parentheses) is separated from surrounding sentences, we use
appropriate punctuation marks inside the parentheses and capitalize the first
letter.
- John had no idea I was there. (I had not told him.)
