Brackets and Parentheses

There are four types of brackets, one of which is parenthesis.

• False

• True

Brackets and Parentheses always come in pairs.

• True

• False

Square brackets look like the following:

• ( )

• [ ]

• " "

• / /

Parentheses look like this:

• ( )

• { }

• < >

• [ ]

Square brackets are used to

• Add ridiculous information

• Always add essential information

• Always add non-essential information

• Clarify or define

Brackets are NOT used to

• insert explanations or comments into quoted material.

• insert corrections into quoted material.

• add sarcastic comments to quoted material.

• insert clarifications into quoted material.

Parentheses in writing are primarily used to

• Define a difficult or foreign word.

• Add essential information.

• Add information that may interest the reader.

• Make a list.

Brackets may be used to indicate the writer has made a mistake.

• True

• False

Sic is a Latin term for "so" or "thus", though we often use it as an acronym for "spelling is correct."

• True

• False

How is the word sic used correctly?

• "The men (sic) is kind and helpful."

• "The men "sic" is kind and helpful."

• The men [sic] is kind and helpful.

• The men --sic is kind and helpful.