EM
Topic: Brackets

Topic: Brackets

11 articles. Page 1 of 2

Period after Etc. in ParenthesesPeriod after Etc. in Parentheses

When an abbreviation like “etc.” appears in parentheses, place another period after the closing parenthesis to end the larger sentence. But if the entire sentence is enclosed in parentheses, use just one period, not two.

Brackets: American vs. BritishBrackets: American vs. British

Round brackets are called “parentheses” in American English but referred to simply as “brackets” in British English. In American writing, square brackets are used within parentheses, while the British use round within round brackets (nested parentheses).

Commas vs. Parentheses vs. DashesCommas vs. Parentheses vs. Dashes

Use commas to integrate closely related information into the flow of the sentence. Use parentheses to set off supplementary information or an afterthought from surrounding text. Use dashes to be emphatic or dramatic and make additional information or an aside stand out.

Does Punctuation Go Within or Outside Parentheses and Brackets?Punctuation with Brackets

Place punctuation inside parentheses if it belongs to the parenthetical text, and outside if it belongs to the larger sentence. Periods, question marks, exclamation points, and quotation marks go inside if they are meant to punctuate the parenthetical text, while commas, dashes, colons, and semicolons always appear after a closing parenthesis.

Do Periods Go Inside Parentheses and Brackets?Periods with Parentheses and Brackets

Place a period within parentheses if the entire sentence is contained in the parentheses. Place the period outside if the parenthetical phrase appears within a larger sentence.

Types of Brackets – Parentheses, Braces, Square & Angle BracketsTypes of Brackets

Parentheses (round brackets) are the most commonly used brackets in English, followed by square brackets. The other two types of brackets are braces and angle brackets. Each type serves a different purpose.

Round vs. Square BracketsParentheses vs. Brackets

Parentheses set off information that may be useful but is tangential to the primary meaning of the passage. Square brackets enclose editorial clarifications to quoted text. Square brackets are also used as brackets within brackets.

How to Show Brackets within Brackets in EnglishBrackets within Brackets

Use square brackets within parentheses to show brackets within brackets. In British style, round brackets are used within round brackets. Avoid using nested parentheses in U.S. writing.

[Sic]: What It Means, and How to Use in Quoted TextSic in Quoted Text

Use “sic” to indicate a grammatical or spelling mistake in the original text of a quote. “Sic” is generally italicized in formal texts. Also enclose “sic” in brackets in formal writing.

When to Use Square Brackets [ ] in EnglishSquare Brackets

Brackets enclose editorial comments and corrections, and any text added to a quote by someone other than the original writer. “Sic” in brackets indicates an exact reproduction. Brackets also set off parenthetical material that appears in text already within parentheses.

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