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.
Questions tagged [parentheses]
242 questions
25
votes
3 answers
Is there a grammatical rule for using "read" between parentheses?
As an example:
I am bored (read: lazy).
I wish to know if English Grammar has a formal construct for this usage.
user5433
15
votes
3 answers
Writing some as (S)ome - What does this really mean?
Statement: (S)ome happenings in the wake of freedom left a large legacy of misunderstanding.
Your employer(s) were not able to produce substantial documents to support your case. [background: two employer documents were required, a response from…
ABCA
- 151
6
votes
3 answers
Parentheses for alternatives in statement
I often come across a use of parentheses where the parentheses refer to an "alternative layer" of a statement.
An example might be helpful here:
"Hence, changes in employment that increase (decrease) earnings or that cause investors to expect…
6
votes
3 answers
(Parentheses (inside parentheses))
As you saw in the title, parentheses inside parentheses don't look too good. But, gramatically speaking, is it correct to do this? For example:
Go to this site (you should probably check it out, it's great (in case you didn't already notice) and…
naiveai
- 143
- 1
- 1
- 7
3
votes
1 answer
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 straightforward. My question has to do with style: is it awkward…
JAM
- 7,863
2
votes
1 answer
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 necessarily affecting C).
I can think of no arguments…
andreasdr
- 494
2
votes
1 answer
How does parenthesis affect grammar, would it be "a (incorrect) report" or "an (incorrect) report?"
Would it be "a (incorrect) report" or "an (incorrect) report?"
Becker
- 21
2
votes
3 answers
Continuing a sentence in a parenthesis and then starting a new one inside the same
Take a look at this meaning:
By the way, I marked position 2854 (in the code. It's the slash).
Is is correct to start a new sentence within a parenthesis like this? Or another, worse, example:
By the way, I marked (a lot of things of which you…
Shathur
- 643
2
votes
1 answer
lists set off by parentheses
Do parenthetical lists need "e.g." preceding the list, such as:
"I am building a model of the house with key attributes (height, style, color) considered for comparison with other development areas."
user53372
- 21
1
vote
1 answer
What is the correct usage of the question mark when using a subsequent parenthesis?
Is this the correct use of the question mark? Should it be at the end outside of the closing bracket? See example below
How do we deliver it? (to the learner)
Elaine
- 11
1
vote
2 answers
Okay to assume association between separate parentheses clauses?
Take a look at this:
By the way, I marked (the tag that includes) position 2854 (in the code that the tag is inside).
Is it okay to use a couple of clauses that are dependent of each others like this (in order to convey the right meaning)?
Shathur
- 643
1
vote
1 answer
Punctuation and parenthesis
Just saw this. Shouldn't it have the period (full-stop) after the parenthesis?
Like the magazine? Take it with you. (Don’t worry, we’ll give the next passenger a new copy)
milo
- 11
1
vote
1 answer
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 question.
Sarah
- 11
0
votes
0 answers
parenthesis and relative clause
I have a question about why a parenthesis is necessary in a sentence instead of a relative clause:
Why it should be:
Such an impact, many scientists believe, would have blocked the planet with debris.
Instead of:
Such an impact many scientists…
0
votes
0 answers
Is there a correct way to do arbitrarily many nested parentheses? What would come after braces, and after that, etc.?
I know it's poor form to have nested parentheticals, but I want to do it as a kind of joke. What would be the correct way to nest arbitrarily many parentheses in writing? If I wanted to write a whole piece of nested parentheses, where would I go…
Jake
- 1