Parentheses What Are Parentheses Parentheses are round brackets

()Parentheses

What Are Parentheses? � Parentheses are round brackets( the symbols that are enclosing this sentence). � Parentheses usually contain information that adds more depth to the main sentence. � This extra information can be omitted from the main sentence entirely without changing the meaning of it.

Robert Bobert(Yes, that is his real name!) was an acceptable salesman. � Robert Bobert was an acceptable salesman. Parentheses omitted Example 1 �

Using Those Parentheses � If you are listing items in your sentences and you are using numbers or letters, enclose them in parentheses. � Example: Qualities that are often looked for in a future employee are (1) can they be on time, (2) how reliable they are, and (3) their willingness to work.

Hold Up! � In that last example, why didn’t we just use commas or a colon? If you use too many commas, it can cause a confusion and the purpose for which the commas are there for is hard to see. You do not use a colon because your listing off and expanding a little on each item.

Review � What are parentheses, and what do they usually contain? � If you take away the parentheses and the information it contains, does that mean the meaning of the topic sentence changes? � When listing items in your sentences and you are using numbers, do you use a comma or parenthesis?