Parentheses: Little Side Notes for Extra Info
What are parentheses ( )?
Parentheses are curved punctuation marks that look like this: ( ). We use them to add extra information to a sentence, kind of like a whisper or a side note.
When do we use parentheses?
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Additional Information: Parentheses can add details that are interesting but not essential to the main point of the sentence.
- Example: My dog (a golden retriever) loves to play fetch.
- Example: We went on vacation to Italy (last summer).
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Citations: In academic writing, parentheses are used to give credit to the source of information.
- Example: According to a recent study (Smith, 2023), exercise is good for your health.
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Abbreviations and Acronyms: Parentheses can introduce an abbreviation or acronym.
- Example: The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Important Things to Remember:
- The information inside parentheses should be a complete sentence or a fragment.
- Punctuation usually goes after the parentheses, not inside.
- Example: I love to eat pizza (especially pepperoni).
- If the information in parentheses is a complete sentence, the period goes inside the closing parenthesis.
- Example: We’re going on vacation to Italy. (We can’t wait!)
Let’s Practice!
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Add the Parentheses: Put parentheses around the extra information in these sentences:
- My favorite band Coldplay is playing a concert next month.
- The book I’m reading To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic.
- The capital of France Paris is a beautiful city.
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Correct the Mistakes:
- (My birthday is next week.)
- The Eiffel Tower is in Paris. (It’s very tall)
Challenge!
Write a paragraph about your favorite movie or book. Use parentheses to add interesting details or to cite a quote from the movie or book.
