Parentheses

Front

What are parentheses?

Back

Parentheses are punctuation marks used to enclose information that is not essential to the main point of a sentence. They are represented by ( ).

Front

When should parentheses be used?

Back

Parentheses should be used to add extra information, clarify a point, or provide an example without interrupting the main flow of the sentence.

Front

Which of the following is a correct use of parentheses?

Back

I got the highest score on the social studies test last week (a 97%!).

Front

Identify the incorrect use of parentheses:

Back

I (shopped) at Kmart and bought shampoo.

Front

What is an example of using parentheses for clarification?

Back

All tiger species (especially the South China tiger) are endangered.

Front

How do parentheses affect the meaning of a sentence?

Back

Information within parentheses is considered additional and can be omitted without changing the main meaning of the sentence.

Front

What is the difference between parentheses and brackets?

Back

Parentheses ( ) are used for additional information, while brackets [ ] are used to add clarification or comments within quoted material.

Front

Can parentheses be used in lists?

Back

Yes, parentheses can be used in lists to provide additional information about each item.

Front

What is a common mistake when using parentheses?

Back

A common mistake is placing parentheses around essential information that should be part of the main sentence.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with parentheses?

Back

If the parentheses contain a complete sentence, the punctuation goes inside the parentheses. If not, the punctuation goes outside.