2. Brackets (also called parenthesis) are always
used as pairs and have a number of functions:
To add extra (optional or additional) information to a sentence such as an
example, a comment or an explanation.
To give the full name of an abbreviation that has been used.
To enclose chapter or page numbers.
3. 1.
• Brackets allow us to add additional information to a sentence, usually
expanding on something said before their inclusion. The sentence
must make sense without the information in the brackets.
Examples:
• Little Jason Smith (my best friend’s brother) was always getting into trouble
at school.
• The film’s portrayal of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) as intelligent and
determined is in keeping with her character in the book.
4. 2.
• Brackets are used to provide the name of an abbreviation.
Example:
The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is
running a campaign to discourage people from buying cage-laid eggs.
5. 3.
• Brackets are used to inform of chapter or page numbers.
Example:
Read the story (page 8) and then write a summary.
6. Square Brackets [ ]
Square brackets are used to enclose explanatory or missing [...] material,
especially in quoted text.
Example:
‘I appreciate it [the offer], but I cannot accept it.’
7. [sic]
• The bracketed expression [sic] (Latin for "thus") is used to indicate
errors that are ‘thus in the original’. We often see this when a quotation
has been re-quoted (such as a tweet that has been re-published in a
newspaper article).
8. Ellipses …
• An ellipsis is when three dots … are used to indicate a pause in speech
or thought, or to show that words have been omitted from a quotation.
An ellipsis can be used:
To indicate deleted material.
To indicate an unfinished thought or a trail off into silence.
A pause for effect.
9. 1.
• Ellipses used to show deleted words. This is particularly useful when breaking down long
quotations in essays.
Example:
• In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock seeks to evoke our sympathy when he asks: ‘Hath not a
Jew eyes… if you prick us, do we not bleed?’.
The following is the full part of this quotation from the play:
Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as
a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
10. 2.
• Ellipses is used to show an unfinished thought and also a trail off into
silence.
Examples:
• Oh no! If only I hadn’t…
• I heard a bloodcurdling scream and a loud crash as I descended into
darkened room…
11. 3.
• An ellipsis can be used to indicate a pause for effect.
Example:
The kite flew higher… and higher… and higher.
