Plagarized Punctuation Guide #6

I give credit, though. This is from https://allthingsfreelancewriting.com/blog/punctuation-guide/

The article is just too good not to share. More the previous five times.

Last but not least, parentheses are a pair of punctuation marks shaped like half circles that are used to enclose text (). Their use is pretty straightforward, but be careful not to confuse them with brackets or braces (more on that below).

How to type parentheses

The left parenthesis is located on the same key as the number nine. The right parenthesis can be found on the zero key at the top of the keyboard.

Remember that you have to press the shift key first to add both types of parentheses to your writing since they’re located on shared keys.

When to use parentheses

Parentheses are used to add extra information or commentary to a sentence or paragraph (such as the definition of an acronym, a funny joke, or a list of examples). Keep in mind that your writing should still make sense even if you remove the parentheses. They just help to clarify. Here are a few examples:

• All Things Freelance Writing (ATFW) is a resource that helps freelancer writers grow their ideal businesses.
• I went to the store to get a few things (a sweater, hat, and pair of socks) for the trip.
• She showed up about 15 minutes late (as per the usual).

Brackets

Brackets look like this [ ]. The edges are squared instead of round. While they look similar to parentheses, they are used to:

• Insert your own words into a quote.
• Insert [sic] into a quote where there is an error.
• Add information within parentheses.
• Add stage direction in a play.

Braces

Braces are on the same key as brackets and look like this { }. These are used to indicate relationships in statistical, mathematical, or chemical equations.