Parentheses
Parentheses
Parentheses
Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.
Common Core Language Standard 2
Parentheses are probably overused. However, if you feel like they are necessary, learn to use them correctly.
Today’s mechanics lesson is on how to use parentheses to set off parenthetical information. Remember that parenthetical information adds non-essential information following a noun or pronoun.
Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.
If the words inside the parentheses form a complete sentence, place the period, question mark, or exclamation point inside the closing parenthesis. Example: (I had eaten lunch.)
Parentheses can be used in a variety of ways:
- As added information. This is known as an aside. Example: John responded (quickly).
- As an appositive. An appositive is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that identifies or explains another noun or pronoun before or after it. Example: Sue (the girl in red)
- With numbers to clarify what has been said in the sentence. Examples: He ran a marathon (26.2 miles) in 4:20:10 (four hours, twenty minutes, ten seconds).
- To punctuate letters which list key points within the sentence. Examples: She had a choice of (a) apple (b) cherry or (c) lemon pie.
Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.
Practice: They do eat fried toast especially in England. (The U.S. Surgeon General specifically frowns on this food).
Let’s check the Practice Answers.
Mechanics Practice Answers: They do eat fried toast (especially in England). (The U.S. Surgeon General specifically frowns on this food).
Now let’s apply what we have learned.
Writing Application: Write your own sentences using parentheses to set off an apostrophe and parentheses with numbers to clarify what has been said in the sentence.
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