Parentheses

Front

What are parentheses?

Back

Parentheses are punctuation marks used to enclose additional information or clarifications in a sentence.

Front

What is the primary use of parentheses in writing?

Back

To set apart extra or unnecessary information that adds context but is not essential to the main point.

Front

How do parentheses affect the flow of a sentence?

Back

They can create interruptions in the flow, allowing for additional details without breaking the main sentence structure.

Front

What is a parenthetical citation?

Back

A reference within parentheses that provides source information for a quote or idea.

Front

Can parentheses be used in dialogue?

Back

Yes, parentheses can be used in dialogue to indicate actions or thoughts that occur simultaneously with the spoken words.

Front

What is an example of using parentheses for clarification?

Back

The car (which was red) sped past us.

Front

What does it mean if information is in parentheses?

Back

It indicates that the information is supplementary and can be omitted without changing the main meaning of the sentence.

Front

Are parentheses used in formal writing?

Back

Yes, they are commonly used in formal writing for citations, clarifications, and additional information.

Front

What is the difference between parentheses and brackets?

Back

Parentheses are used for additional information, while brackets are often used to add explanatory notes or corrections within quoted material.

Front

What happens if you remove parentheses from a sentence?

Back

The main meaning of the sentence usually remains intact, but some additional context or detail may be lost.