What is a bracket in punctuation?
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Carter Martin
Works at the International Organization for Migration, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
Greetings, I'm an expert in the field of linguistics and punctuation. I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of brackets in punctuation.
Brackets are a type of punctuation mark that serve a variety of purposes in written language. They are used to insert additional information into a sentence, often to provide clarification, explanation, or to indicate that a word or phrase has been added by someone other than the original author. Brackets can also be used to correct or emend a quotation, ensuring that it makes sense in the context it's being used, or to indicate that a word or phrase has been omitted from a direct quote to maintain brevity.
The use of brackets is not limited to English; they are employed in many languages, although the specific rules governing their use can vary. In English, there are two main types of brackets: round brackets (parentheses) and square brackets. Each type has its own set of rules and is used in different contexts.
Round Brackets (Parentheses)
Round brackets, also known as parentheses, are the most commonly used type. They are represented by two characters: an opening parenthesis "(" and a closing parenthesis ")". Here are some of the ways round brackets are used:
1. To Add Non-Essential Information: When a writer wants to include a piece of information that is not essential to the main point of the sentence, but might be of interest to the reader, parentheses are used.
- *Example*: "She has three cats (all of whom are black) and a dog."
2. To Clarify: Parentheses can be used to clarify a point that might be confusing without further explanation.
- *Example*: "The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. (not 9 p.m.) in the conference room."
3. To Indicate the Author's Addition: When quoting, if the writer adds their own words for clarity, they are enclosed in parentheses.
- *Example*: "As the poet said, 'Life is (his) tenancy for a term of years' (Shakespeare, Sonnet 66)."
Square Brackets
Square brackets, represented by "[" and "]", are used in more specific circumstances:
1. To Indicate Editorial Changes: When a word or phrase has been added by the editor or writer to a direct quote, square brackets are used to show that it's not part of the original text.
- *Example*: "The scientist wrote, 'The experiment was a failure,' [but] he was determined to try again."
2. To Show Omissions: If a portion of a quote is removed to shorten it, square brackets can be used to indicate where the text has been cut.
- *Example*: "As the President stated, '[...] we must all work together to achieve our goals.'"
3. **To Provide Translations or Interpretations**: Square brackets can also be used to provide translations of foreign words or phrases that are not common knowledge.
- *Example*: "The French word 'bonjour' [hello] is used to greet someone in the morning."
Brackets in Different Contexts
Brackets are also used in mathematics, computer programming, and other technical fields, where they serve different functions. For instance, in mathematics, brackets are used to group numbers or variables together, while in programming, they are used to define the start and end of a code block.
Evolution of Brackets
The original meaning of brackets, as you mentioned, is tied to their resemblance to the carpentry support. The term "bracket" is derived from the Old French word "bracket," which referred to a support that projects from a wall, similar to how the punctuation mark sets apart a part of the text.
In conclusion, brackets are versatile punctuation marks that serve to enhance the clarity and understanding of written text. They are used to add information, clarify points, correct quotations, and indicate editorial changes. Understanding when and how to use brackets is an important aspect of mastering punctuation and effective communication.
Brackets are a type of punctuation mark that serve a variety of purposes in written language. They are used to insert additional information into a sentence, often to provide clarification, explanation, or to indicate that a word or phrase has been added by someone other than the original author. Brackets can also be used to correct or emend a quotation, ensuring that it makes sense in the context it's being used, or to indicate that a word or phrase has been omitted from a direct quote to maintain brevity.
The use of brackets is not limited to English; they are employed in many languages, although the specific rules governing their use can vary. In English, there are two main types of brackets: round brackets (parentheses) and square brackets. Each type has its own set of rules and is used in different contexts.
Round Brackets (Parentheses)
Round brackets, also known as parentheses, are the most commonly used type. They are represented by two characters: an opening parenthesis "(" and a closing parenthesis ")". Here are some of the ways round brackets are used:
1. To Add Non-Essential Information: When a writer wants to include a piece of information that is not essential to the main point of the sentence, but might be of interest to the reader, parentheses are used.
- *Example*: "She has three cats (all of whom are black) and a dog."
2. To Clarify: Parentheses can be used to clarify a point that might be confusing without further explanation.
- *Example*: "The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. (not 9 p.m.) in the conference room."
3. To Indicate the Author's Addition: When quoting, if the writer adds their own words for clarity, they are enclosed in parentheses.
- *Example*: "As the poet said, 'Life is (his) tenancy for a term of years' (Shakespeare, Sonnet 66)."
Square Brackets
Square brackets, represented by "[" and "]", are used in more specific circumstances:
1. To Indicate Editorial Changes: When a word or phrase has been added by the editor or writer to a direct quote, square brackets are used to show that it's not part of the original text.
- *Example*: "The scientist wrote, 'The experiment was a failure,' [but] he was determined to try again."
2. To Show Omissions: If a portion of a quote is removed to shorten it, square brackets can be used to indicate where the text has been cut.
- *Example*: "As the President stated, '[...] we must all work together to achieve our goals.'"
3. **To Provide Translations or Interpretations**: Square brackets can also be used to provide translations of foreign words or phrases that are not common knowledge.
- *Example*: "The French word 'bonjour' [hello] is used to greet someone in the morning."
Brackets in Different Contexts
Brackets are also used in mathematics, computer programming, and other technical fields, where they serve different functions. For instance, in mathematics, brackets are used to group numbers or variables together, while in programming, they are used to define the start and end of a code block.
Evolution of Brackets
The original meaning of brackets, as you mentioned, is tied to their resemblance to the carpentry support. The term "bracket" is derived from the Old French word "bracket," which referred to a support that projects from a wall, similar to how the punctuation mark sets apart a part of the text.
In conclusion, brackets are versatile punctuation marks that serve to enhance the clarity and understanding of written text. They are used to add information, clarify points, correct quotations, and indicate editorial changes. Understanding when and how to use brackets is an important aspect of mastering punctuation and effective communication.
2024-05-12 07:07:05
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Studied at the University of Cape Town, Lives in Cape Town, South Africa.
bracket. A bracket is a punctuation mark that's used to set a word or phrase aside from the rest of a sentence. Sometimes dates or other numbers in a sentence are enclosed by brackets. ... This is the original meaning of bracket -- the punctuation mark was named for the way it resembles the carpentry support.
2023-06-12 09:02:41
Harper Young
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
bracket. A bracket is a punctuation mark that's used to set a word or phrase aside from the rest of a sentence. Sometimes dates or other numbers in a sentence are enclosed by brackets. ... This is the original meaning of bracket -- the punctuation mark was named for the way it resembles the carpentry support.
