Parentheses
Parentheses can best be defined as a literary stylistic device that originates from a Greek term which means alongside or place. Parentheses is thus an explanatory or qualifying sentence, phrase or word inserted by writers into passages or paragraphs (Covey& England, 2012). However, parentheses are not necessarily a requirement in enhancing the meaning of a sentence or passage. In that, if they are left out, grammatically it does not impact the textual meaning which means that it is still appropriate and correct without its presence. Parentheses are marked off using square and round brackets or by the use of dashes, brackets, commas or short lines. As per as the parentheses purpose is concerned, the verbal units creates extra information, interrupts the general phrase and syntactic wording flow and permits readers to paying attention to the given explanation thus ultimately enhancing the general understanding (Covey& England, 2012). Thus, parentheses denote punctuation marks that are utilized in separating relevant data or comments from the other text, or to enclose numerical and alphabetical symbols or texts inside the parentheses marks.
Despite the benefits parentheses overuse might result in sentences being structured poorly and might seem ambiguous. Parentheses are also referred as round brackets in the American language. Parentheses are primarily utilized to separating information that is perceived to be less significant to the general meaning of the entire sentence (Covey& England, 2012). The bracketed material removal would still retain the sense of the sentence. For instance, Mount Everest (in the Himalayas) is the World’s highest mountain. There are a number of books that particularly, address the subject (refer page 11). From the example, it is apparent that parentheses are utilized in adding more information to the main claim or as a source of reference where the information can be found. In addition, they can be utilized in enclosing comments by the individual writing. For instance, he had quite too much drunk (not like I judged him). The parentheses show the comment made by the individual after making the main claim which does not alter the general meaning of the main sentence and the intended context (Covey& England, 2012).
On the other hand square, brackets which are known to be mere brackets are primarily utilized to enclosing phrases that are added by individuals other than the initial writer or the original speaker in a typical manner in the clarification of concerns. She (security officer) cannot give enough proof of what had happened (Dorfman & Cappelli, 2009). The bracketed information is the comment of an individual rather than the original speaker but despite the fact that it does not affect the general meaning of the phrase it adds more clarification to what the speaker was communicating (Dorfman & Cappelli, 2009). The use of parentheses at the end of any sentence, the major period should be set outside as the ultimate punctuation. For example, eventually, they decided that they will settle particularly settle in Britain, London (Jordan’s Home). Another example, Duncan asserted that it was the last thing that he remembers [lying down]. This, therefore, ends the sentence as the ultimate punctuation without any additional punctuation at the end of the phrase.
Parentheses are usually integrated into pairs having major as well as minor uses (Dorfman & Cappelli, 2009). Parentheses are utilized in surrounding a thin that appears to be out of a location in sentences. This refers to the inward clarification or an extra commentary regarding the subject to offer an additional explanation. For example, the 10th anniversary of St. John’s eruption (14th April, 1990) created vivid memories in regard to morals and evil. The anniversary date which in this case is placed as (14th April, 1990) is the sentence’s parentheses. This is the additional information that the writer wishes to communicate to his or her readers. However, the information is not a necessary section of this sentence. If it is left out, then the readers will still gain a better understanding of the intended claim in regard to the recalled memories from the anniversary event. Parentheses, therefore, occurs as the final punctuation because the date has incorporated commas that separate the year and the actual day. This means that surrounding it with additional commas would destroy its meaning thus creating complexity in reading (Dorfman & Cappelli, 2009). Parentheses, in this case, can be categorized as obvious options.
Parentheses can also be defined as a punctuation signs pair that is useful in marking texts off. In that parentheses are utilized in specified grounds that can, therefore, be covered by the use of just a few directions. Exaggeration of parentheses creates a distraction on the readers thus distorting the message being passed (Aurelio, 2004). In that, the prime rationale behind the usage is enclosing passing comments, additional information or accounting for accidental data. Parenthetical information and comments mainly serve in illustrating or in clarification or offering afterthoughts or deviations.in addition parentheses are utilized in the encompassing of certain letters as well as numeric and letters while outlining or listing subjects. While writing the name of products, organization or items for the first time that is well known by its acronym needs the full writing and referral in acronym under parentheses. This enables the readers in knowing what they are supposed to search for in later period (Aurelio, 2004). For example, Volunteers, as well as staffs registered under the Employee Protective Organization (EPO), are hoping to end and eliminate the occurrence of oppression and cruelty within the contemporary working surrounding.
Parentheses use in supplemental information occurs when the writer wishes to incorporate additional data that is not linked to the main subject, but the additional data does not adequately fit into the prime sentences parts or passages (Aurelio, 2004). When the information has been set off with the use of parentheses, this implies that the significance of the content is de-asserted in ensuring that the main textual points are not detracted. For example, Martha owes the organization at least eight hundred dollars ($800) which must be paid by the end of the coming week. In addition, they are utilized in noting numeric or letter figures. In often cases when numeric figures are spelled out, it is useful to note them in numeric form in easing understanding (Konurbaev, 2015). In this context, the figures can be specified in numeric nature by being placed under parentheses for more understanding as demonstrated by the example above.
When listing or outlining a set of information in passages and paragraphs numbering with the use of parentheses results in clarity while eliminating any kind of confusion. The number is parenthetical in the quest of highlighting all the given claims (Konurbaev, 2015). In addition, while listing, for instance, the company mainly needs to hire individuals who (1) possess great ethical skills, (2) possess the knowledge and the relevant skills in reference to the most recent editing and enhancing practices and (3) holds at least four years professional working experience in the media sector. Parentheses may also facilitate the indication of plural nouns. In that, within the written text the writer might speak in regard of the singular form of certain subjects while realizing that the information would, in addition, apply to the plural nature of the same nouns (Konurbaev, 2015). This is accomplished by placing‘s’ in parentheses which follow the noun that can also be pluralized. For example, this year’s festival organizers are mainly hoping to accommodate the biggest crowd, so you should all bring your friend(s) along during your attendance. This, therefore, shows that the audience can either bring one friend or even more. The plural representation is useful because it eliminates limits and assumptions that the audiences are only expected to bring a single friend. The parenthesis in this context is not a commentary but it adds information for clarification and creating improved understanding.
Normally, parenthetical data falls amid extensive or large sentences. Therefore, if parentheses appear at the sentence end or immediately prior a different punctuation type, then that punctuation must be placed after the parentheses closing and not within (Putnam & Pak, 2005). For example, Max Weber’s (German’s Sociologist and philosopher) sociological and philosophical ideas, highly influenced Martin Luther King (American Activist).however, for full sentences the punctuation should only occur inside the parentheses. In most occasions, similar information incorporated in the respective parentheses are placed as complete or detailed sentences that are relatively parts of the main sentences (Putnam & Pak, 2005). In this cases, the punctuation occurs inside the sentences by including the period on the inner side of parentheses. For example, a new retail shop has been built on the land’s ground. (This occurred 10 years after the original outlet had been destroyed during clashes.) A bad example of these of the punctuation is, a new retail shop has been built on the land’s ground. ‘’ (This occurred 10 years after the original outlet had been destroyed during clashes).’’
When integrating parentheses every punctuation should be enclosed as required. Colons, commas, full-stops, and semi-colons placed at the center of the parenthetical context should be incorporated within this parentheses (Putnam & Pak, 2005). In addition, if exclamation and question marks need to be incorporated at the sentence end then this means that the parentheses statement should end in the middle rather than at the final end so that the punctuations signs can be incorporated on the inside prior to the sentence’s closing parentheses. For example, my classmate George (Remember him?) is currently working at our organization. The punctuation has adequately been incorporated within the parentheses without affecting the general meaning of the main sentence. In addition rather than including a complete sentence within the parentheses the commentary is rather short. Punctuation should only be incorporated when they are needed in sentences. This is because parentheses are punctual signs by themselves are therefore they do not necessarily demand additional punctuation (Putnam & Pak, 2005). In short, the only period in which punctuation signs should be placed post or prior the parentheses would be in instances where the sentences would still necessitate punctuation without the inclusion of parentheses. It is wrong for example to state that ‘’ the new mobile retail outlet (on the 8th Street), additionally offers more affordable options.’’ In this context, the coma should not appear after the parentheses which should be (on the 8th Street) given that even without the parentheses the comma would not be a necessity.
Given that parenthetical phrases, words or clauses are normally the remarks from the speaker or writer or additional noteworthy information there is a rule to be followed. The rule on whether parentheses should be utilized is that if the sentence meaning would be vivid without the use of parenthetical statements then this means that parentheses are appropriate (Geary, Rahman, Raman and Raman, 2006). When the parenthetical declaration comprises of some needed data, then an unconventional punctuation method should then be deliberated. For instance, Raphael (after buying his Bike regulator) spent the rest of the afternoon testing its efficiency.’’ The sentence above is bound to make less sense if a parenthetical statement is not utilized which means that parentheses are more appropriate being placed with the use of commas. If the parentheses have been integrated syntactically with the nearly sentences the end punctuation should appear only outside the entire parentheses (Geary, Rahman, Raman and Raman, 2006). However, a parenthetical statement does not at all times need to be integrated syntactically. For instance, John was raised in a big house (over 20 rooms, twenty foot) similarly to New York’s District. In the above statement ‘with’ was implied but then it was omitted at the parenthetical text start but the intended context is not altered.
Parentheses appear to be similar to closer whispers in conveying a non-necessary and yet useful information in relation to the subject under discussion. The parentheses contain the same significance as the main text but its significance only appears in emphasizing the importance of the prime text (Geary, Rahman, Raman and Raman, 2006). Parentheses, therefore, offers the readers with more information without creating any form of further assertion to the end. This statement permits the readers to read through the passages or paragraphs continuously without having to account on whether the parenthetical information additional necessities their attention given that the information is rather complementary to the main content. Contrarily to brackets which mainly offers clarification for the quoted information, parentheses are in particular utilized in offering clarification or description of the content held in the major sentences in any kind of writing (Woods, 2006).
Parenthesis usually creates more convincing statements given that they put the right in the most appropriate form from the beginning where the information is mainly read as the prime justification. However, the major function is to offer increased justifications while adding assertions (Woods, 2006). The repeated usage of parenthesis can result in focus thus making the parenthetical statements to be the dominant sentence features. In addition, this additionally provides readers with the prime insight into the actual sensation and characters opinion, while they usually incline to evade parenthetical data to be insignificant. With this occurrence, the parenthesis is bound to create cluelessness to the real sentence’s purpose. Further, more often this results in the creation of humorous implications by the utilization of understatements (Woods, 2006).
Parentheses do not just imply to the enclosing of information within the round or square brackets. In rhetoric realm, parenthesis means setting off text from the content that surrounds it in general (Straus, Kaufman & Stern, 2014). Parenthesis, therefore, occurs after, phrase, words or even clauses are placed into sentences in the quest of elaborating or justifying a thing that has been stated within the major sentence. These sentence does not necessarily have to be compatible grammatically with the terms occurring on any given side of the subject given that it can be separated using either parenthesis, comma or dashes as well. In the sentence below parentheses has been utilized in justifying what appears prior. ‘’ to all those that they spoke too, (primarily those that possess reasonable intelligence) came to the agreement that their preparations and plans were the most strategic by far.’’ In this sentence, it is apparent that the speaker feels the major need of making some modification to the initial thoughts by opting to justify them with facts and honesty despite the fact that it ends up conveniently supporting one side. In the beginning, the speaker states that all those that were spoken to agreed but found the necessity of classifying the group by terming it to those that had reliable intelligence and the statement clarifies the intention of the message even further without creating any form of complication. Parentheses, therefore, create a desirable rhetorical impact of the speaker’s statement in a way. In reality, the parenthetical statements generate inclusive and authoritative attention which makes the claims immediately convincing. This results in placing the readers to the actual mode from the general beginning so that when the parentheses are introduced it is read as an insignificant but helpful qualification a commentary to the authoritative main claim (Straus, Kaufman & Stern, 2014).
Parentheses is spoken and spoken with lesser emphasis than all the other parts of the sentences thus it grows to be an excellent approach while making some significant qualifications that weakness or limits the initial speaker’s claims thus being deemed as less significant (Straus, Kaufman & Stern, 2014). Parenthesis can thus be perceived as a more understated form of fine and structured contents. In addition to being complementary parentheses can additionally act in the creation of humorous effects. For example ‘’ the president stated that the nation’s enemy (by which he was referring to Russia) was massing (meaning massive nuclear) which is an appropriate action to the general wellness of the global security therefore appropriate actions were to be taken. Despite the fact that the devices use and the enemy state is being limited within the sentence the effectiveness of the parentheses is apparent. In the sentence, the author effectively separates the original words from the speaker’s commentary or sentiments in regard to what was the major information that was being intended. Assumptions are separated which makes it apparent and offers more clarity to the readers while preserving the original statements and meaning (Straus, Kaufman & Stern, 2014).
Parentheses often give readers major insights into the actual feelings and thoughts by offering both facts as well as opinions from the speaker. While the readers might perceive parenthetical information to be of less importance, this can create fewer clues in regard to the real objective of the provided phrase (Wallwork, 2012). The use of parentheses occurs structurally in covering the minor subjects under the major subject that are accounted to be possessing relative low importance. Despite their insignificances, they have the capability of distracting the readers from the major views. Therefore if the sentence necessitates incidental information then the information must be set off with commas or even dashes in enhancing effectiveness. In this context, the information should mainly be placed within separated sentences that have no parentheses. Since parenthesis signs are a pair one for the opening and the other closing one should never be utilized without the other. This involves the use of alphabetized or a numbered outline. A period should also be placed outside the closing parentheses if the information held inside does not contribute to the intention of the major sentence (Wallwork, 2012). In addition, if the parenthetical statement is the part of a contribution to the major sentence then the first letter should not be capitalized or the sentence completed with any period. However, if the parenthetical sentence has to end with a punctuation such as an exclamation the period should appear after the parenthesis (Wallwork, 2012). Further, if the information under the parentheses is a sentence that is independent then the first world should be capitalized while the period is placed prior to the closing parenthesis.
In summary, parentheses refer to a word, clause, sentence or phrase which is usually explanatory of direct, placed into the passage where it is not connected grammatically and it is marked off with the use of dashes or brackets. Parentheses do not affect the meaning of sentences in the context that even with their absence the passage or sentences would still deliver. However, they provide further information or speaker’s point of view regarding the subject which is essential in persuading or winning the attention of the audience. Parentheses represent punctuation marks that are utilized in separating relevant data or comments from the other text or to enclose numerical and alphabetical symbols or texts inside the parentheses marks.
References
Aurelio, S. J. (2004). How to say it and write it correctly now: The ultimate reference book, containing practical grammar, punctuation & spelling rules, homonyms, medical terms, layperson's legal dictionary, major art terms-- and more. Austin, Tex: Synergy Books.
Covey, S. R., & England, B. (2012). FranklinCovey style guide for business and technical communication. Upper Saddle River, N.J: FranklinCovey.
Dorfman, L. R., & Cappelli, R. (2009). Nonfiction mentor texts: Teaching informational writing through children's literature, K-8. Portland, Me: Stenhouse Publishers.
Konurbaev, M. E. (2015). Style and timbre of English speech and literature. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Putnam, J., & Pak, M. (2005). Test prep grade 8: High-interest skill building for home and school. Huntington Beach.
Richard F. Geary, Rahman, N., Raman, R., and Raman, V. (2006). A Simple Optimal Representation for Balanced Parentheses. Preprint submitted to Theoretical Computer Science. Pdf
Woods, G. (2006). Webster's New World punctuation: Simplified and applied. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Straus, J., Kaufman, L., & Stern, T. (2014). The blue book of grammar and punctuation: An easy-to-use guide with clear rules, real-world examples, and reproducible quizzes. John Wiley & Sons.
Wallwork, A. (2012). English for research: Usage, style, and grammar. New York, NY [u.a.: Springer.
