Published Jan 24, 2019 Updated Aug 25, 2026 2 min read
Avoiding Parentheses
Jesse complained, “Ms. Sherril banned me from using parentheses in my essays.”
“They can get annoying,” said Ryan.
“Okay, I’ll just use dashes or brackets instead.”
“Uh, no. Pretty soon you’ll be banned from writing anything.”
Definition and Examples
An appositive is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that identifies or explains another noun or pronoun before or after it. If the appositive is nonessential to the meaning of the sentence, parentheses (or commas) are used to signal and separate this identification or explanation. The appositive could be removed without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. Examples: An actress, Marta, knew how to project. Jane (the girl with red hair) acted childishly. If the appositive is essential to the meaning of the sentence, no punctuation is used. Example: The U.S. president Ronald Reagan was known as “The Great Communicator.”
Read the rule.
Avoid using unnecessary appositives. When you must use an appositive in an essay, use commas, rather than parentheses, to set apart the appositive from the noun or pronoun it modifies.
Practice
Write the following sentences and [bracket] the appositives and their punctuation.
Nancy (the pharmacist) advised my mom to buy the over-the-counter brand.
Mitchell was talking to Wanda, Lisa’s little sister.
By 1786, ten years after the writing of the Declaration of Independence, England was once again our largest trading partner including exports (chiefly cotton) and imports (mainly textiles).
My sister’s bicycle (a bright green BMX) was stolen off the porch (where she left it).
The women, Ms. Mears, paid for our trip (the flight, car rental, and hotel).
Revise the sentence, eliminating the appositive.
Parenthetical remarks should (usually) be avoided.
Answers
Nancy [(the pharmacist)] advised my mom to buy the over-the-counter brand.
Mitchell was talking to Wanda[, Lisa’s little sister].
By 1786[, ten years after the writing of the Declaration of Independence,] England was once again our largest trading partner including exports [(chiefly cotton)] and imports [(mainly textiles)].
My sister’s bicycle [(a bright green BMX)] was stolen off the porch [(where she left it)].
The women[, Ms. Mears,] paid for our trip [(the flight, car rental, and hotel)].
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Mark Pennington, M.A. Reading Specialist
Thirty-six years teaching ELA and reading, elementary through community college, plus district reading specialist. He wrote every program on this site.
