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Brackets

Phonetics:

brækɪt

Pronunciation:

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The Art of Brackets: How to Use Parentheses in Your Writing

Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules 

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A simple question can baffle people, such as What are brackets? Today in our life and sentences, we commonly use brackets, but only a few people know the actual uses of brackets and their meaning grammatically. People might have seen that many kinds of brackets in the English language are used simultaneously for different purposes. Many people confuse these different kinds of brackets by using them simultaneously, which is a wrong practice. In this article, we will learn about what are brackets used for and the types of brackets with many more sections. Keep on reading to know more!

What are brackets

According to the Collins Dictionary, “Brackets are a pair of written marks that you place round a word, expression, or sentence in order to indicate that you are giving extra information ()“. 

According to English grammar, brackets are enclosing punctuation that marks additional information or expression in the sentence. Opening and closing a bracket is essential, and it’s always in pairs. Once a bracket is open, it has to be closed to make it count. The words inside the bracket or the quotation inside the bracket are not counted in the sentence. Instead, it is counted as an extra note to the sentence. Quotations in the brackets are meant to be read on everyone’s notice, while additional information in the brackets is for personal reference while reading or writing the text.

One can use bracket types to indicate different kinds of information inside the brackets. The most brackets that everyone knows about are:

Round Brackets Or Parentheses: These are the most common brackets that one can use to display additional information in the sense of clarification or mention which is not important to a sentence. 

For example, I was outside alone with a bag of chips (Orange flavour) with my friends.

Square Brackets: It is used to enclose authors’ or writers’ quotations as a reference to the original writer or author. These are mostly used in academic writing in English grammar.

For example, the study states, “the majority of participants [80%] reported feeling more energetic after the treatment.”

Curly brackets or Squiggly brackets: Curly brackets are also known as Squiggly brackets because of how it’s drawn. These are mostly used in computer languages and mathematics, and the use of these brackets in English are rare. It is used mostly where more than one kind of bracket is used. 

For example, “I need to go to the boutique today for uppers, lowers and jackets { skirt, tanktop, leather jacket}.”

Types of Brackets

Now that we know what brackets are let us know about different types of brackets in the next section. Keep reading to learn more about brackets!

Round Brackets/Parentheses: Definition, Description, Examples, and Rules

Round brackets are parentheses that are the most commonly used brackets which are very helpful in enclosing additional information for clarification or explanation in the sentence or these speeches. These enclosed brackets are not said aloud in the sentence and are only used for personal references for additional information. 

Examples of round brackets

Examples of these bracket types are as follows:

  1. She is very angry (becoming  red) with her boss.

  2. We used to sip up the best juice (orange flavour) in the auditorium.

  3. We are very happy that we have booked the (expensive and last sale) ticket for the concert.

  4. Your (black) cat is very cute.

  5. Your (green) eyes are very shiny and glittery.

Rules for using round brackets in writing and grammar

There are certain rules that you have to follow accordingly when writing these brackets. Look out for the rules below.

  1. Only that kind of information is to be enclosed in the round brackets, which are not important and only provide clarification or additional information to the sentence. Anything unique to the sentence should not be indicated in the bracket.

  2. Round brackets can also indicate a series within the sentence or a paragraph indicating numbers and letters as continuation. For example, (A), (B)… and (1), (2). 

  3. Round brackets can also be used to indicate translations of different languages such as Amigo (friend in Spanish). 

  4. Citations and references in academic writing as also seen around round brackets.

Common mistakes to avoid when using round brackets

Here are some common errors that one should always be off while using brackets. 

  1. People should be very careful when bracketing and use it only when necessary, as too many brackets in sentences can be confusing.

  2. One should never use round brackets to enclose essential information.

  3. Never incompletely use brackets. It comes in pairs. Hence, one should always use closing and opening brackets simultaneously to enclose the sentences.

  4. One should never use different kinds of brackets simultaneously instead of a particular bracket, as every bracket has a different meaning and function in English grammar. 

Square Brackets: Definition, Description, Examples, and Rules

Square brackets are also known as box brackets which are commonly used to enclose information which is added by someone other than the original author. We can say that square brackets are used for enclosing the reference of original information written by someone else.

Examples of square brackets

Examples of these bracket types are as follows:

  1. Here is a [new] software version that includes various features. 

  2. The report states that the economy is expected to [grow by 2%] this coming year.

  3. The author [Taylor Swift] is an expert in this field.

  4. According to [William Shakespeare], English writing is an art rather than academia. 

  5. Here is a [old 6.2] software version with many glitches. 

  6. [Jones Road] Life is a place to discover your true value. 

Rules for using square brackets in writing and grammar

There are certain rules that you have to follow accordingly when writing these brackets. Look out for the rules below.

  1. Square brackets can also enclose corrections in the sentence. 

  2. It can also enclose editors’ comments and editorials or changes made by the writer.

  3. It can also include different kinds of omissions while correcting the passage.

  4. One should never use brackets to enclose any kind of essential information to provide in the sentence. 

Common mistakes to avoid when using square brackets

Here are some common errors that one should always be off while using brackets.

  1. Never incompletely use brackets. It comes in pairs. Hence, one should always use closing and opening brackets simultaneously to enclose the sentences.

  2. The square bracket should never be used differently from the paragraph it is indicating.

  3. Stand-alone sentences should not be written to indicate an entire paragraph.

  4. One should never use different kinds of brackets simultaneously instead of a particular bracket, as every bracket has a different meaning and function in English grammar. 

  5. People should be very careful when bracketing and use it only when necessary, as too many brackets in sentences can be confusing.

Squiggly Brackets: Definition, Description, Examples, and Rules

A Squiggly bracket Is used to indicate bifurcation in the sentence in terms of series or set. It is also known as curly brackets. 

Examples of squiggly brackets

Examples of these bracket types are as follows:

  1. The {apple, banana, orange} are my favorite fruits.

  2. The {x,y,z} coordinates of the point are (3,4,5).

  3. In programming, a {for} loop is used to repeat a sequence of instructions.

  4. I’m planning a party and trying to decide on the menu. So far, I’m thinking of serving {chips and dip, vegetable crudites, and cheese platter} for appetizers, {grilled chicken, baked salmon, and vegetable skewers} for the main course, and {chocolate cake, fruit salad, and ice cream sundae bar} for dessert. What do you think?

  5. I’m really excited for the upcoming music festival. There are so many great bands playing, including {The Killers, Imagine Dragons, and Twenty One Pilots}. I’m especially looking forward to seeing {Billie Eilish}, she’s one of my favorite artists. It’s going to be an amazing weekend!

Rules for using squiggly brackets in writing and grammar

There are certain rules that you have to follow accordingly when writing these brackets. Look out for the rules below.

  1. One should never use brackets to enclose any kind of essential information to provide in the sentence. 

  2. It is always used to relate similar group items together. 

  3. Curly brackets enclose options or choices with similar sets, such as ABC 123.

  4.  It is also used in mathematical contexts for arrays, sets, and code blocks.

Common mistakes to avoid when using squiggly brackets

Here are some common errors that one should always be off while using brackets. 

  1. Never incompletely use brackets. It comes in pairs. Hence, one should always use closing and opening brackets simultaneously to enclose the sentences.

  2. One should never use different kinds of brackets simultaneously instead of a particular bracket, as every bracket has a different meaning and function in English grammar. 

  3. People should be very careful when bracketing and use it only when necessary, as too many brackets in sentences can be confusing.

  4. Never use different kinds of objects which are not related in terms of groups when using curly brackets.

Angle Brackets: Definition, Description, Examples, and Rules

Angle brackets are also known as chevrons, similar to greater than and lesser than science together in a pair. The signs are practically used in technical languages such as coding and programming. But it is also used to court and refer to various connotations and quotations. 

Examples of angle brackets

Examples of these bracket types are as follows:

  1. The  <quote> life never comes back is given by her in the classroom.

  2. HTML code <p>  is used to indicate a paragraph.

  3. The designer asked for the colour code, similar to <321>.

  4. People should use different kinds of programming languages which indicate different simple functions such as <quote>, <b>, <run>, etc.

  5. One should never be ashamed of their life <quote> affirmations.

Rules for using angle brackets in writing and grammar

There are certain rules that you have to follow accordingly when writing these brackets. Look out for the rules below.

  1. One should never use brackets to enclose any kind of essential information to provide in the sentence. 

  2. Angle brackets can be used to provide direct definition and quotation in the sentences.

  3. Angle brackets are also used in HTML coding and other programming languages.

Common mistakes to avoid when using angle brackets

Here are some common errors that one should always be off while using brackets. 

  1. Never incompletely use brackets. It comes in pairs. Hence, one should always use closing and opening brackets simultaneously to enclose the sentences.

  2. One should never use different kinds of brackets simultaneously instead of a particular bracket, as every bracket has a different meaning and function in English grammar. 

  3. People should be very careful when bracketing and use it only when necessary, as too many brackets in sentences can be confusing.

  4. Never use angle brackets to denote lesser than and greater than signs. 

Braces: Definition, Description, Examples, and Rules

Braces are opposite brackets similar to curly brackets. These brackets are used to write elements of the same group or objects together.

Examples of braces

Examples of these bracket types are as follows:

  1. The group includes {1, 2, 3}.

  2. The vegetables we require are {Tomato, guard, potato}.

  3. The farm has three types of birds {hens, pigeons, parakeets}.

  4. We are lucky to have brought picnic baskets {pink, green, red}.

  5. Are you sure about these elements {1, 2, 3}. Are these correct?

Rules for using braces in writing and grammar

There are certain rules that you have to follow accordingly when writing these brackets. Look out for the rules below.

  1. One should never use brackets to enclose any kind of essential information to provide in the sentence. 

  2. It should not be mistaken for curly brackets even if the function is similar.

Common mistakes to avoid when using braces

Here are some common errors that one should always be off while using brackets. 

  1. People should be very careful when bracketing and use it only when necessary, as too many brackets in sentences can be confusing.

  2. Never incompletely use brackets. It comes in pairs. Hence, one should always use closing and opening brackets simultaneously to enclose the sentences.

  3. One should never use different kinds of brackets simultaneously instead of a particular bracket, as every bracket has a different meaning and function in English grammar.

Comparison of different bracket types

The key differences between all the five brackets we have learnt above is that each has a specific function which is helpful to denote a specific information non essential to the sentence. All of the five brackets are in pairs and used as punctuations. 

What Are Brackets Used For?

Brackets are used for different specific reasons, such as referring to grouping up and much more. Let us learn in the next section given below.

Examples of different uses of brackets in writing

Some examples of brackets are:

  1. We used to sip up the best juice (orange flavour) in the auditorium.

  2. Here is a [old 6.2] software version with many glitches. 

  3. The {apple, banana, orange} are my favorite fruits.

  4. The designer asked for the colour code, similar to <321>.

  5. Are you sure about these elements {1, 2, 3}. Are these correct?

The importance of these brackets are essential and are used to make the reader or speaker more self-aware while speaking or referring. 

Tips for using brackets effectively in your writing

Here are some tips for using brackets effectively in your writing; Follow up.

  • People should use brackets with caution and only when necessary, as too many brackets in phrases can be confusing.

  • Never use brackets incorrectly. It comes in pairs. As a result, while enclosing sentences, one should always employ closing and opening brackets at the same time.

  • Because each bracket has a different meaning and function in English grammar, it is never appropriate to employ multiple types of brackets at the same time.
Brackets Infographics

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Key Takeaways

  1. Brackets are used to denote additional information and series in the sentence.

  2. There are five different types of brackets.

  3. Brackets are enclosed punctuation that comes in pairs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use multiple types of brackets in the same sentence?

No, one cannot use multiple brackets in the same sentence.

How do you use brackets with punctuation marks?

The bracket should be used considerately when using punctuation marks, such as with commerce and full stops.

How do you use brackets when citing sources in academic writing?

When citing sources in academic writing, the bracket should be given in the same context referring to it. On the same page or after the paragraph.

Are brackets the same as parentheses?

Yes, round brackets are the same as parentheses, but there are different kinds of brackets too.

Can brackets change the meaning of a sentence?

Brackets can make the sentence more informative and self aware for the reader.

How do you pronounce the different types of brackets?

The pronunciation of different types of brackets is mainly based on accents and regional dialects.

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