Parentheses are used much like the dash, but it is used to set off unimportant material that interrupts the sentence thought or structure.

Use parentheses to set off supplementary, parenthetic, or explanatory material that does not change the meaning of the main sentence. Example: Joe Jones (you knew him) visited me yesterday.

Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. We fished or should I say drowned worms in the murky river.

2. They listened to the teacher's stories they were very dull which gave some background for the book.

3. Terri and Mark you remember them moved to a new house last week.

4. Even though he was not qualified according to his transcripts, he knew more than most of the others.

5. Another possibility the possibilities seem endless was suggested by a person at the back of the room.

1. We fished (or should I say drowned worms) in the murky river.

2. They listened to the teacher's stories (they were very dull) which gave some background for the book.

3. Terri and Mark (you remember them) moved to a new house last week.

4. Even though he was not qualified (according to his transcripts), he knew more than most of the others.

5. Another possibility (the possibilities seem endless) was suggested by a person at the back of the room.

Use parentheses to mark numbered or lettered divisions within sentences or paragraphs. Example: We will read the following chapters for our discussion tomorrow: (1) Africa, (2) India, (3) Iceland.

Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. Before you turn in your paper, check 1 spelling, 2 punctuation, 3 capitalization, and 4 footnotes.

2. Our trip will take us to 1 Swanee, 2 Moreno Valley, 3 Taber, and 4 Rio de Janeiro.

3. We must set 1 our short term goals, 2 our long term goals, and 3 the ways they will be accomplished.

4. Our possible means of transportation are as follows: 1 bicycle, 2 ox cart, 3 train, 4 bus, or 5 by foot.

5. We must include 1 our family, 2 our friends, and 3 our neighbors so we don't offend anyone.

1. Before you turn in your paper, check (1) spelling, (2) punctuation, (3) capitalization, and (4) footnotes.

2. Our trip will take us to (1) Swanee, (2) Moreno Valley, (3) Taber, and (4) Rio de Janeiro.

3. We must set (1) our short term goals, (2) our long term goals, and (3) the ways they will be accomplished.

4. Our possible means of transportation are as follows: (1) bicycle, (2) ox cart, (3) train, (4) bus, or (5) by foot.

5. We must include (1) our family, (2) our friends, and (3) our neighbors so we don't offend anyone.

Use parentheses to enclose Arabic numerals which confirm written numbers. Example: They will arrive in (30) thirty days.

Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. The phone deal is for one hundred fifty 150 minutes a month.

2. It is interest free for ninety 90 days.

3. We only have room for forty-five 45 guests.

4. The firm has thirteen 13 openings at the present time.

5. They will lay off four hundred 400 workers in the next 6 six months.

1. The phone deal is for one hundred fifty (150) minutes a month.

2. It is interest free for ninety (90) days.

3. We only have room for forty-five (45) guests.

4. The firm has thirteen (13) openings at the present time.

5. They will lay off four hundred (400) workers in the next (6) six months.

Use parentheses to enclose abbreviations synonymous with spelled-out forms occurring after the forms or if the order is reversed. Example: I will meet with U.E.A. (Utah Education Association) leaders at 4:00. I will meet with Utah Education Association (U.E.A.) leaders at 4:00.

Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. The FFA Future Farmers of America boys from our school won many awards.

2. What was the ruling by the Federal Communications Commission FCC?

3. The pipe that will be used is PVC polyvinyl chloride.

4. The National Education Association NEA will have its conference in February.

5. The BSA Boy Scouts of America has come under fire recently.

1. The FFA (Future Farmers of America) boys from our school won many awards.

2. What was the ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

3. The pipe that will be used is PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

4. The National Education Association (NEA) will have its conference in February.

5. The BSA (Boy Scouts of America) has come under fire recently.

Use parentheses to indicate alternative terms (as in form letters). Example: You may study any lesson(s) on our site.

Use parentheses to indicate alternative terms in these sentences.

1. Please indicate the lecture that you want to attend.

2. I would like to know the city where your firm is located.

3. I can't tell you my favorite book from that list.

4. Be sure to indicate the nation that you want to visit.

5. I don’t need your silly look any more today.

1. Please indicate the lecture(s) that you want to attend.

2. I would like to know the city (cities) where your firm is located.

3. I can't tell you my favorite book(s) from that list.

4. Be sure to indicate the nation(s) that you want to visit.

5. I don’t need your silly look(s) any more today.

Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. I'll get back to you tomorrow Friday.

2. Which country countries do you want to visit?

3. You put fifty-four 54 books on that shelf.

4. The ACLU American Civil Liberties Union is going to bring a suit.

5. If you want to be healthy, you must 1 eat good food, 2 get sufficient exercise, and 3 get adequate sleep.

6. The Atomic Energy Commission AEC is very concerned about what is happening in Europe.

7. We are going to visit Brazil I don't know where this spring.

8. I need seven 7 dollars for tonight.

9. To take this ride, you need to 1 shut your eyes, 2 hang on tight, and 3 pray.

10. That movie reminded me I remember it well about the adventure we had.

1. I'll get back to you tomorrow (Friday).

2. Which country (countries) do you want to visit?

3. You put fifty-four (54) books on that shelf.

4. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is going to bring a suit.

5. If you want to be healthy, you must (1) eat good food, (2) get sufficient exercise, and (3) get adequate sleep.

6. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is very concerned about what is happening in Europe.

7. We are going to visit Brazil (I don't know where) this spring.

8. I need seven (7) dollars for tonight.

9. To take this ride, you need to (1) shut your eyes, (2) hang on tight, and (3) pray.

10. That movie reminded me (I remember it well) about the adventure we had.

Next Page

Copyright 2006 Word Place Inc - - All Rights Reserved.