Parentheses allow you to include important information while reducing the importance or emphasis on that information. However, just like any other punctuation mark, there is a right way and a wrong way to use parentheses.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Common Use
Step 1. Use brackets for additional information
If you want to include information that relates to the main text, but doesn't fit into the main body of a sentence or paragraph, you can enclose that information in parentheses. By enclosing the information in parentheses, you reduce the importance of the information so that the reader is not distracted from the main idea of the text.
Example: J. R. R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings) and C. S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia) were both regular members of a literary discussion group called "Inklings."
Step 2. Write the numbers in parentheses
Often, when spelling numbers, it may be useful to also write down the numeric form of the number. Write the numeric form of the number in parentheses.
Example: He owes seven hundred dollars ($700) in rent by the end of this week
Step 3. Write down the numbers or letters as numbers in a list
When you need to write a series of pieces of information in a paragraph or sentence, numbering each piece of information can reduce confusion. Write the numbers or letters, used to highlight each piece of information, in parentheses.
- Example: The company is looking for employees who (1) have a good work ethic, (2) have complete knowledge of the latest photo editing and enhancement software, and (3) have at least five years of professional experience in the field.
- Example: The company is looking for employees who (A) have a good work ethic, (B) have complete knowledge of the latest photo editing and enhancement software, and (C) have at least five years of professional experience in the field.
Step 4. Indicate plural nouns
In text, you may talk about the singular form of a particular object while realizing that the same information applies to the plural form of that object. If the reader benefits from knowing that you are talking about both the singular and the plural, in English, the meaning can be indicated by putting an "s" in parentheses after a noun that has a plural form.
Example: This year's festival committee expects a big crowd. So, bring your friend(s) when you visit. (The organizers of this year's festival are hoping to have a big crowd, so bring along your friend(s) when you come.)
Step 5. Write down the abbreviations
When writing about an organization, product, or other object that is usually referred to by an abbreviation, you need to write down the full name of the object the first time it is mentioned in the text. If you want to refer to an object with its standard abbreviation after that, you should write the object abbreviation in parentheses so readers don't get confused later.
Example: Animal Protective League (APL) employees and volunteers hope to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate cases of animal cruelty and ill-treatment in the community
Step 6. Mention important dates
Although not always, in certain contexts, you may need to include the date of birth and/or date of death of the person mentioned in the body of the text. In this case, write the dates in parentheses.
- Example: Jane Austen (1775-1817) became famous primarily for her works such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.
- George R. R. Martin (born 1948) is the author of the popular Game of Thrones series.
Step 7. Use quotations in parentheses
In academic writing, whether in MLA or APA style, parentheses need to be included in the text, whenever you are citing another work directly or indirectly. This quote contains bibliographic information and must be enclosed in parentheses immediately after the loan information.
- For example, APA style: Research has shown an association between migraine and clinical depression (Smith, 2012).
- For example, MLA style: Research shows an association between migraine and clinical depression (Smith 32).
- For more information on using bracketed citations in text, please read the article on how to write in-text citations.
Part 2 of 2: Grammar Rules
Step 1. Put a punctuation mark outside the brackets
Usually, the information in parentheses is in a wider sentence. If parentheses appear at the end of a sentence or immediately before another punctuation mark, they must be written outside the closing parenthesis, not inside.
- True example: J. R. R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings) was good friends with C. S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia).
- False example: J. R. R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings) is best friends with C. S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia.)
Step 2. Put punctuation in parentheses for complete sentences
Sometimes additional or similar information in parentheses is written as a complete sentence, rather than just part of a broader sentence. In this case, put a punctuation mark in the parentheses by putting a period before the closing parenthesis.
- True example: A new church was built on the land of the former church. (This construction began 14 years after the old church was torn down.)
- False example: A new church was built on the land of the former church. (This construction began 14 years after the old church was torn down.)
Step 3. Include other punctuation marks as needed
A comma, colon, or semicolon that appears in the middle of additional text must be enclosed in parentheses. With a similar rule, if it is necessary to include a question mark or exclamation mark at the end of a statement in additional text, instead of at the end of a wider sentence that includes the additional text, include it in parentheses.
- True example: J. R. R. Tolkien (author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and many more) was a member of a literary group called the "Inklings."
- True example: My sister's husband (remember him?) is planning a surprise for his wife's birthday.
- Wrong example: My sister's husband (remember her)? was planning a surprise for his wife's birthday.
Step 4. Use punctuation only when needed in sentences
Parentheses can appear on their own in a wider sentence. You don't need to start the brackets with another punctuation mark. You also don't need to end the parentheses with another punctuation mark. The only time you should put a punctuation mark before or after the parentheses is if the sentence already includes the punctuation there without including the information in the brackets.
- True example: Contrary to his previous reasons (or lack of reason), he decided to change his view on the issue.
- False example: Contrary to his previous reasons (or lack of reason) he decided to change his view on the issue.
- True example: The new coffee shop (on 22nd street) also offers a variety of bakery dishes.
- Wrong example: The new coffee shop, (on 22nd street), also offers a variety of bakery dishes.
