BRACKETS - ROUND and SQUARE
There are two types of brackets (parentheses). They enclose things that clarify, and enclose numbers and letters that are part of a list. They are used in sentences to enclose a less important or explanatory information - much like 'an aside'.
Do not put a comma, semicolon or a dash before an opening bracket - always after the closing bracket.
- When the dinner arrives (and it surely will), don't make a scene.
Do not put a comma, semicolon or a dash before an opening bracket - always after the closing bracket.
- When the dinner arrives (and it surely will), don't make a scene.
Round brackets are mainly used to separate information that isn’t essential to the meaning of the rest of the sentence:
- I am going to spend the holiday with my parents (his aunt and uncle).
- When it snows (and it will), we can see the real beauty of the mountain.
- I am going to spend the holiday with my parents (his aunt and uncle).
- When it snows (and it will), we can see the real beauty of the mountain.
Square brackets are mainly used to enclose words added by someone other than the original writer or speaker, typically in order to clarify the situation:
- The witness said: 'Gary [Thompson] was not usually late for work.'
www.oxforddictionaries.com
- The witness said: 'Gary [Thompson] was not usually late for work.'
www.oxforddictionaries.com
