Embedded Files
Known as parenthesis in the US, brackets allow us to insert additional information into a piece of writing.
Known as parenthesis in the US, brackets allow us to insert additional information into a piece of writing.
Brackets (parenthesis) (round brackets) - a pair of punctuation marks that can be used to inform the reader of supplementary information.
Introduction
Introduction
Brackets allow us to insert helpful (but nonessential) information into a sentence in a way that does not disrupt the flow of language too much.
Information in brackets is considered less important than information that is between a pair of commas, and more formal than information between two em dashes.
Use Cases
Use Cases
Additional information
Additional information
We can use brackets if we would like to provide additional information to readers.
Examples
Medicare (Australia’s universal health insurance scheme) guarantees all Australians access to a wide range of health and hospital services.
We can also use brackets to comment on something within a piece of writing.
Examples
It can sometimes take a long time to speak to a Medicare consultant. (I sat on the phone for an hour last week waiting to get through to one).
Whatever language is placed within brackets should not affect the grammatical cohesion of the sentence.
There is a simple test we can use to check this.
After we have completed a sentence that includes bracketed information, we should read the sentence out loud without the bracketed information.
If the sentence can still be understood we have used brackets correctly. If not, we need to rewrite the sentence.
Incorrect
The victim (and their car) were lost around nightfall.
Without the information in brackets, the sentence is not grammatically correct: "The victim were lost around nightfall."
Correct
The victim (and their car) disappeared around nightfall.
Without the information in brackets, the sentence is grammatically correct: "The victim disappeared around nightfall."
Regarding punctuation, if the information in brackets is an independent sentence that follows a preceding sentence, the final full stop is placed inside the brackets.
Example
The action in movies from the 1980s is unrealistic and grotesque. (It can also be great fun to watch.)
If the information in brackets constitutes the final part of an existing sentence, the full stop is placed outside the brackets.
Example
Oat milk is a healthy alternative to dairy milk (and it tastes great to boot).
When information in brackets is placed in the middle of a larger sentence, punctuation which relates to the larger sentence should be placed outside the brackets.
Example
She loved her first car (A 1988 SS Commodore), but she never found the time to drive it.
If the information in brackets is a complete independent sentence that is placed within a larger sentence, the bracketed sentence does not require a capital letter or full stop (although a question mark or exclamation mark can still be included).
Example
Before the internet, we had to read magazines to keep up with the latest fashions (my friend and I went to the local newsagency each week), and this is why I studied journalism at university (something I do not regret!).
Abbreviations and acronyms
Abbreviations and acronyms
When first introducing an abbreviation or acronym that our reader might not recognise, we can provide the full term in brackets.
Example
My character has the best DPS (damage per second) in the game.
Alternatively, when introducing a new term that has an abbreviation or acronym, we can place said abbreviation or acronym in brackets.
Example
Muhammad Ali's fastest total knockout (TKO) is allegedly one minute.
In either case, we can then continue to use the acronym or abbreviation throughout the document.
Lists
Lists
If a list involves the use of numbers or letters, these numbers or letters should be bracketed.
Examples
There are three things I can't stand: (1) people who don't consider the grammar of sentences that contain brackets, (2) people who don't punctuate their brackets correctly, and (3) people who use too many brackets.
Time zones
Time zones
Time zones can be placed in brackets when following the time.
Example
The race will start at 2 pm (AEST).
Translations
Translations
Brackets can be used for short translations in unquoted text.
Example
The only phrases I learned to say in Finnish were moi (hello) and kiitos (thank you).
Year of birth/death
Year of birth/death
When introducing a person in writing, we can include their years of birth and death in brackets.
If we are not sure about either date, we can place a question mark after it.
Example
Miyamoto Musashi (1584?–1645) is one of Japan's most famous samurai.
Google Sites
Report abuse