Parentheses

Overview

Parentheses ( ) are punctuation marks used to include extra information in a sentence without interrupting the main point. They allow you to add clarification, details, or side notes that help the reader understand more.

Adding extra information

Parentheses can hold extra details that are not essential but add useful context.

• Example: My sister (the one who lives in Chicago) is visiting us this weekend.

Clarifying or defining

You can use parentheses to give a definition or explanation right in the sentence.

• Example: We are studying mitosis (cell division) in biology class.

Showing dates and years

Parentheses are often used to include birth and death years, publication dates, or event years.

• Example: Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) gave his famous speech in 1963.

Citing sources

In academic writing, parentheses are used for in-text citations.

• Example: Climate change is accelerating at a rapid rate (Smith, 2022).

Separating numbers or letters in a list

Parentheses can be used to number or letter items in a sentence.

• Example: You will need to (1) gather your notes, (2) outline your essay, and (3) write a draft.

Showing an afterthought

Parentheses can show an additional thought that feels like an aside or comment.

• Example: I finally passed the driving test (on my third try!).

Avoiding overuse

Too many parentheses make writing look cluttered and distracting. Use them only when the extra detail is truly helpful.

• Example: The concert (which was very loud and crowded) was fun, but exhausting.

Summary

Parentheses let you add extra details, clarifications, or comments without interrupting the flow of your writing. They are helpful for explanations, dates, citations, or lists, but should be used sparingly. Too many parentheses can make your writing hard to read.