Parenthesis and Ellipsis

Parentheses Rule #1

Use parentheses to enclose words or figures that clarify or are used as an aside (extra information).

Example: I expect five hundred dollars ($500).

Example: He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand the question.

Rule #2 - Parentheses

Use parentheses to enclose numbers or letters used for listed items.

We need an emergency room physician who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat patients respectfully, and (3) handle complaints from the public.

Rule #3 - Parentheses

Periods go inside parentheses only if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses.

Please do your homework (read that story) before you come to class tomorrow.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• My worst (subject Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject (Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject Math (is getting easier).

Multiple Choice

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• All of my life (all 12 years) has been in Georgia.
• All of my life (all 12 years has) been in Georgia.
• All (of my life) all 12 years has been in Georgia.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Jane had a favorite chimp David Greybeard.

• Jane had a favorite chimp (David Greybeard).

• Jane had a favorite chimp (David Greybeard.)

• Jane had a (favorite chimp) David Greybeard.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Adam the (biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adam (the biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adam the biggest chimp was not very helpful to Jane (but Rashidi was).

• Adam the biggest chimp was (not very helpful) to Jane, but Rashidi was.

Ellipsis (a.k.a dot dot dot)

• Often indicates an omission from a larger piece of text (omit text that is irrelevant)

• Indicates a mysterious or unfinished thought, a pause, or silence.

• Full quote: Today, after many hours of debate, the new bill was vetoed.

• With Ellipsis: Today... the new bill was vetoed.

Analyze the Ellipsis

• How does the meaning of the sentence change with and without an Ellipsis?

• Think about the tone and/or meaning.

• I thought the party was nice.

• I though the party was... nice.

Multiple Choice

A(n) series of three dots, that is used to when omitting a word, phrase, or line from a quoted passage.

• Period

• Comma

• Dash

• Ellipsis

Multiple Choice

What would be the best way to change the following sentence by using ellipses?

The parade had clowns, floats and a brass band which wore blue uniforms.

• The parade had clowns, floats and ... which wore blue uniforms.

• The parade had clowns, floats and a brass band ...

• The parade had clowns, floats and a brass band ....

Multiple Choice

Change this sentence to correctly use the ellipses: “I went to Cheney after class, only for twenty minutes, and then I went to my dorm.”

• “...I went to McDonald's after school, only for twenty minutes, and then I went home.”

• “I went to… McDonald's after school, only for twenty minutes, and then I went home.”

• “I went to McDonald's after school… and then I went home.”

• “I went to… after school, only for twenty minutes, and then I went…”

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• I'll get (back to) you tomorrow Friday.
• I'll get back to you tomorrow (Friday).
• I'll (get back to you) tomorrow Friday.
• I'll get (back to) you tomorrow Friday.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• Which country do you want to visit? (Write it on the blank line.)
• (Which country do you want to visit?) Write it on the blank line.
• Which country do you want to visit? (Write it on the blank line).
• Which country do you want to (visit)? Write it on the blank line.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses parenthesis correctly?

• The signing of the (Declaration of Independence) July 4, 1776 was a critical moment for the American Colonies.
  
• The signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) was a critical moment for the American Colonies.
  
• The signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 was a (critical moment) for the American Colonies.
  

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses the  parenthesis correctly?

• I found the answer in the (frequently asked questions) FAQ.
  
• I found the answer in the frequently asked questions (FAQ.)
  
• I found the answer in the frequently asked questions (FAQ).
  

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses the parenthesis correctly?

• The American Civil War (1861-1865) was a defining event of the 19th century for the U.S.
  
• The American Civil War 1861-1865 was a defining event of the 19th century for the (U.S).
  
• The American Civil War 1861-1865 was a defining event of the (19th century) for the U.S.
  

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses the parenthesis correctly?

• She paid (a lot) $300 for the running shoes.
• She paid a lot ($300) for the running shoes.
• She paid a lot $300 (for the running shoes).

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• I'll get (back to) you tomorrow Friday.
• I'll get back to you tomorrow (Friday).
• I'll (get back to you) tomorrow Friday.
• I'll get (back to) you tomorrow Friday.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• You (put) fifty-four 54 books on that shelf.
• You put fifty-four 54 books (on that shelf).
• You put fifty-four 54 books on that shelf.
• You put fifty-four (54) books on that shelf.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• The (American Civil Liberties Union) ACLU is going to bring a suit.
• The American Civil Liberties Union ACLU is going to bring a suit.
• The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is going to bring a suit.
• The American Civil Liberties Union ACLU (is going to bring a suit).

Multiple Choice

Add an ellipses where needed in the following sentence.

The new treasure that I found was a vintage designer dress!

• The ... new treasure that I found was a vintage designer dress!

• The new treasure that I found was...a vintage designer dress!

• The new treasure... that I found was a vintage designer dress!

• The new treasure that I found was a vintage designer ...dress!

Multiple Choice

Add an ellipsis where needed to the following sentence.

The unexpected surprise was a trip to Hawaii!

• The unexpected surprise was... a trip to Hawaii!

• The... unexpected surprise was a trip to Hawaii!

• The unexpected surprise was a trip to Hawaii...!

• The unexpected... surprise was a trip to Hawaii!

Multiple Choice

Which sentence BEST uses an ellipsis to shorten the following text:

A home‐cooked meal is not always possible during a busy work week, but if you can manage it, it is a very healthy option.

• A home‐cooked meal . . .

• A home‐cooked meal is not . . . a very healthy option.

• A home‐cooked meal is not always possible during a busy work week, but . . . it is a very healthy option.

• A home‐cooked meal is . . . always possible during a busy work week . . . .

Multiple Choice

Identify what purpose the ellipsis in each sentence indicates.

“I couldn’t help noticing . . .” Mark’s voice trailed off

• To omit or take text out of a quotation or text passage.

• To show hesitation or an unfinished thought.

Multiple Choice

Identify what purpose the ellipsis in each sentence indicates.

“I was thinking . . .” Karen began to say.

• To omit or take text out of a quotation or text passage.

• To show hesitation or an unfinished thought.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence BEST uses an ellipsis to show hesitation by the speaker?

• "Hmm . . . I forget where I put my cell phone," Bree said quietly.

• "Hmm, I forget where I put my cell phone," Bree . . . said quietly.

• "Hmm, I forget where I put my cell . . . phone," Bree said quietly.

• "Hmm, I forget where I put my cell phone," Bree said . . . quietly.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• All of my life (12 years), I have lived in Virginia.

• All of my life (12) years, I have lived in Virginia.

• All (of my life) 12 years, I have lived in Virginia.