You parentheses ( ) They are one punctuation mark used to isolate an accessory statement that intersperses another statement. It is necessary to open and close the parentheses to indicate exactly where the statement isolated by them begins and ends.
Read too: Question mark — the punctuation mark used in interrogative sentences
Summary about parentheses
Parentheses are a punctuation mark used to isolate a statement that appears interspersed in another.
It is necessary to open and close the parentheses, so that the beginning and end of the statement that was isolated is clear.
Parentheses are used to isolate accessory and explanatory terms, which are not essential for understanding the statement that appears outside the parentheses.
Brackets and braces are types of parentheses used in more specific contexts than parentheses.
What are parentheses?
The parentheses are punctuation marks used to isolate a statement that appears interspersed with another statement. Generally, the statement that appears within the parentheses is only accessory and explanatory, and is not essential to the understanding of the statement that appears outside, but bringing a complement, such as an explanation or a comment on he. Note how this occurs in the following example:
She was (very) tired of that routine.
In this example, the word “very” appears in parentheses to indicate the intensity of the person’s fatigue. Although this detail is not essential for understanding the main idea, it serves as an additional comment to explain the situation, justifying the use of parentheses.
Parentheses can often be used in place of two commas or the dash, when there is the same intention to isolate a statement that intersperses another. See the next case.
I knew we would be too late (even though I warned you that we were already late) and that we would not be able to see the opening of the event.
In this other example, there is a whole section in parentheses: “although I had warned you that we were already late”. This excerpt also serves as a non-essential comment regarding the statement outside the parentheses and could be enclosed in commas or dashes.
When to use parentheses?
There are some specific cases for using parentheses. Let's get to know some of them with examples of using parentheses.
Explanation or circumstance already mentioned and resumed in the excerpt within parentheses:
My cousin and her friend went to the fair together. But only one (my cousin) came back early.
She (at the cafe) where the innkeeper is located. (J. Cardoso Pires)
Reflection or comment regarding the statement outside the parentheses:
Christianity (wrote Chateaubriand) He invented the organ and made the bronze sigh. (Carlos de Laet)
On the eve of my departure (I would spend a year without coming home) I went to say goodbye to the balloon. (Carlos Heitor Cony)
Emotional note, often exclamatory or interrogative:
But the time (and it is another point in which I hope for the indulgence of thinking men!), time hardens sensitivity... (Machado de Assis)
There was the school, which was blue and had / An evil master, with a frightening throat clearing… / (My God! What is this? What emotion is mine / When I narrate these simple things?) (Bernardino Lopes)
Information on acronyms or bibliographic references:
The information is sourced from IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).
The Theory of Relativity (EINSTEIN, 1905) It was essential for later studies in Physics.
Indicate year of birth and death:
Carolina Maria de Jesus (1914-1977) was an important Brazilian writer of the 20th century.
Quote of translated word or excerpt:
He takes the philosophy of carpe diem(“enjoy the day”, in Latin).
The message from my French friend started with “good morning” (“bonjour”, in the original).
Rubric indications, that is, scenic indications in theater texts:
1st Young Woman – What’s your name? / Shepherd – (Smiling.) Prometheus. / 1st Young Woman – And that voice you hear? / Little Shepherd – He’s my father. (Laughs.)
Is parentheses or brackets correct?
Sometimes, there are doubts about the writing of the word “parentheses”, since there is another way of writing it: “parentheses”, with the vowel “i” in the last syllable instead of “e”. Therefore, to theduthe shapes of writing are accepted by normative grammar, although the form ending in -es is the most used in Brazilian Portuguese.
Punctuation marks inside and outside parentheses
In general, tend not to punctuate inside parentheses when there is only one word or small phrase (unless the context justifies the use of a comma, question mark or exclamation mark, for example).
However, if within the parentheses there is a complete and independent sentence, not intersecting the statement outside the parentheses, then it must be punctuated independently (without punctuation outside the parentheses). Notice the difference in the following examples.
Punctuation outside parentheses:
I was surprised to see that Renata (my ex-girlfriend) I was going out with Beto (my friend from school, who never met my ex-girlfriend).
Punctuation inside parentheses:
I was irritated by that situation. (It's not like I've already gotten over that event...)
What are the differences between parentheses and brackets?
The brackets ([]) are a specific type of parentheses used in similar circumstances, but less common. Brackets are mainly used in the following cases:
When there are parentheses within parentheses:
My family is huge and we always travel together (in fact, whenever possible [which is more common than I would like]).
To indicate incomplete citation, with parts not transcribed:
In his words, it was “an important, historic event [...], but also dangerous.”
To add information or comment to a quote that does not appear in the original:
Despite all the accusations, the accused said he had not “participated in anything [of crime]”, which generated a lot of outrage.
What are the differences between parentheses and braces?
The keys ({}) are rarely used in texts, but, like parentheses, when their use is necessary, they are also used to isolate a statement that intersperses another statement. See below its most common uses outside of texts:
To indicate morphemes:
The verb “like” is formed by the stem {like-}.
To indicate sets in Mathematics:
A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
See too: Semicolon — what are the rules for using it?
Exercises solved on parentheses
Question 1
(Cespe/Cebraspe) One of the functions of parentheses is to
A) separate the different items of an enumeration.
B) give a text a colloquial tone.
C) indicate which terms were moved in the sentence.
D) isolate explanations, indications or comments in general.
E) characterize a text as essentially didactic.
Resolution:
Alternative D
Parentheses isolate statements that serve as explanations or general comments regarding the statement outside the parentheses.
Question 2
(Cespe/Cebraspe — adapted)
In relation to the text above, judge the following item.
The parentheses that isolate the expression “which recognizes having obligations towards society” (L.5-6) can be replaced by commas, without prejudice to the grammatical correctness of the sentence.
( ) Right
( ) Wrong
Resolution:
Right.
Despite the choice of parentheses, the author of the text could have used commas or even a dash to isolate the section within the parentheses.
