(Parentheses) By Darren Silas

Defintion 1. an amplifying or explanatory word, phrase, or sentence inserted in a passage from which it is usually set off by punctuation 2. one or both of the curved marks () used in writing and printing to enclose a parenthetical expression or to a group a symbolic unit in a logical or mathematical expression

History of Parentheses: The parentheses came from the late latin, from greek, literally,

3 rules of Parentheses: 1.Use parentheses to enclose words or figures that clarify or are used as an aside 2.Use full parentheses to enclose numbers or letters used for listed items 3.Periods go inside parentheses only if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses. Don’t put any punctuation mark before parentheses, and put a comma after the closing parentheses only if your sentence would call for the comma away

Examples of Parentheses: I expect five hundred dollars ($500) He finally answered ( after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand the question. Use a pointed pencil (a pencil with the lead point broken off works well) or a similar tool.