Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

The results (see table 1) were surprising.

The results. (See table 1.) Were surprising.

The results (see table 1.) were surprising.

The results (see table 1 were surprising).

Which form is correct for an editorial insertion inside a quote?

He said, 'I never saw [the document].'

He said, 'I never saw (the document).'

He said, 'I never saw {the document}.'

Parentheses and Brackets

Using parentheses () and brackets [] for additional information

Last updated 13 June 2026

intermediate

When to Use Parentheses and Brackets

•Parentheses for additional info: The meeting (which lasted two hours) was productive.
•Parentheses for abbreviations: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced...
•Parentheses for dates/numbers: Shakespeare (1564–1616) wrote many plays.
•Brackets for editorial additions: She said, 'I saw [the suspect] leave.'
•Brackets for clarification in quotes: 'They [the committee] decided to postpone.'

How to Form Parentheses and Brackets

Affirmative (+)

Main sentence (additional info) continues here.

Negative (-)

Don't overuse—too many parentheses disrupts reading flow

Question (?)

Did you see the report (the one from Monday)?

💡 Parentheses = round brackets (). Square brackets [] are for editorial insertions.

Examples of Parentheses and Brackets

✓The CEO (who joined last year) announced the changes.

✗The CEO, who joined last year, announced the changes.

Both are correct, but parentheses de-emphasize the information more than commas.

✓The witness stated, 'I saw him [the defendant] at 9 p.m.'

✗The witness stated, 'I saw him (the defendant) at 9 p.m.'

Use brackets for editorial additions within quotations.

✓Please refer to the appendix (page 45).

✗Please refer to the appendix, page 45.

Parentheses work well for reference numbers and page citations.

Common Mistakes with Parentheses and Brackets

💡 Practice Tips for Parentheses and Brackets

• Parentheses: your own asides and additional info
• Brackets: editorial additions to someone else's words
• Punctuation usually goes outside parentheses (like this).
• (If the entire sentence is in parentheses, punctuation goes inside.)
• Use sparingly—too many parentheses can be distracting

Quick Quiz

1.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
The results (see table 1) were surprising.The results. (See table 1.) Were surprising.The results (see table 1.) were surprising.The results (see table 1 were surprising).
2.Which form is correct for an editorial insertion inside a quote?
He said, 'I never saw [the document].'He said, 'I never saw (the document).'He said, 'I never saw {the document}.'He said, 'I never saw <the document>.'
Question 3: Which marks are used for an aside in your own writing? (one word)blank
3.Which marks are used for an aside in your own writing? (one word)
Question 4: Which marks are used to clarify a word inside someone else's quotation? (two words)blank
4.Which marks are used to clarify a word inside someone else's quotation? (two words)
Question 5: Insert the correct opening mark to introduce an abbreviation: The World Health Organization blankWHO___ announced... (mark for each blank)
5.Insert the correct opening mark to introduce an abbreviation: The World Health Organization WHO___ announced... (mark for each blank)
Question 6: True or false: 'The witness stated, "I saw him (the defendant) at 9 p.m."' uses the correct marks for the editorial insertion.blank
6.True or false: 'The witness stated, "I saw him (the defendant) at 9 p.m."' uses the correct marks for the editorial insertion.
Question 7: When the entire sentence is enclosed in parentheses, the final period goes blank the closing parenthesis. (one word)
7.When the entire sentence is enclosed in parentheses, the final period goes the closing parenthesis. (one word)

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When to Use Parentheses and Brackets

How to Form Parentheses and Brackets

Examples of Parentheses and Brackets

Common Mistakes with Parentheses and Brackets

✗The results. (See table 1.) Were surprising.

✗He said, 'I never saw (the document).'

✗The company (founded in 2010, is growing rapidly).

💡 Practice Tips for Parentheses and Brackets

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