{"id":4255,"date":"2013-06-29T03:11:43","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T03:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4255"},"modified":"2026-03-28T10:43:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T15:43:02","slug":"brackets","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/brackets\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Brackets in Sentences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_x9Ttwh60g5s\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_x9Ttwh60g5s\" data-source-videoID=\"x9Ttwh60g5s\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Using Brackets in Sentences Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Using Brackets in Sentences\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_x9Ttwh60g5s:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_x9Ttwh60g5s {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/updated-using-brackets-in-sentences-64c0197687aeb.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_x9Ttwh60g5s\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_x9Ttwh60g5s\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Using Brackets in Sentences\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_x9Ttwh60g5s\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_x9Ttwh60g5s\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_x9Ttwh60g5s\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction v5G_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"v5G\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"v5G_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"v5G\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Parentheses_vs_Brackets\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Parentheses vs. Brackets<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rules_for_Using_Brackets\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rules for Using Brackets<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hi, and welcome to this video on brackets!<\/p>\n<p>Brackets can be thought of as the lesser-known cousin of the parentheses and are primarily used to clarify writing. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note before we get started that, as with any type of punctuation, there are always exceptions to rules and, of course, other rules that may not be discussed here. When in doubt, look it up or ask your teacher for clarification. This last point is particularly important because, depending on the field of study and style guide being used, bracket rules can change.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Parentheses_vs_Brackets\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Parentheses vs. Brackets<\/h2>\n<p>\nNow, there is often confusion between parentheses and brackets because they look so similar. However, they are not the same thing, so make sure to avoid using brackets and parentheses interchangeably. <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/parentheses\/\">Parentheses<\/a> are more common, and the two should rarely be substituted for each other (we\u2019ll look at an exception to this rule later).<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><strong>Parentheses = ( )<br \/>\nBrackets = [ ] <\/strong><\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nParentheses are sometimes referred to as round brackets, while brackets are sometimes referred to as square brackets. If you just encounter the word \u201cbrackets,\u201d it\u2019s safe to assume that this is shorthand for \u201csquare brackets\u201d as opposed to parentheses.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rules_for_Using_Brackets\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rules for Using Brackets<\/h2>\n<p>\nNow let\u2019s look at the rule for using brackets.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rule_1_Clarification\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule 1: Clarification<\/h3>\n<p>\nThis rule applies to quoted material. If a quotation is missing pertinent information or is quoted without <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/context\/\">context<\/a>, an editor or writer can add brackets to clarify what the original text was referring to. <\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">In his memoirs, the author reveals, \u201cThe year we moved into the house [1985] was a difficult time for us, both emotionally and financially.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 0em;\">The president stated that he \u201cwill not sign the bill they [Republican members of the House] have been talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nNote here that the quotations are missing crucial information that could lead to confused readers: the year 1985 in the first example and the \u201cthey\u201d being referred to in the second. The bracketed portions clarify this information for the reader. Note that the bracketed material is an addition and not a substitution.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rule_2_Translation\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule 2: Translation<\/h3>\n<p>\nThis rule serves as an extension of the first. In this case, use brackets to translate a phrase or word that readers may be unfamiliar with in a quotation. If the phrase or word being translated is not in a quotation, then use parentheses. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u201cI seldom spoke French in class. When I did, I usually just said je ne sais pas [I don\u2019t know.]\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nBecause the phrase &#8220;je ne sais pas&#8221; is foreign and inside a quote, the translation of the phrase has been placed in brackets.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rule_3_Showing_a_Change_in_Capitalization\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule 3: Showing a Change in Capitalization<\/h3>\n<p>\nQuotations should make sense in terms of capitalization when they are integrated into your writing. Use brackets around the first letter in a quotation in order to show that the letter was in a different case in the original quotation.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Under the terms of his employment contract, his \u201c[p]erformance-based stock options shall not vest until December 31, 2025.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this quote, the word performance was originally capitalized. Since the quote is the continuation of a sentence outside of the quote, we placed the lowercase &#8220;p&#8221; in brackets.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rule_4_Showing_Errors_in_a_Quotation\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule 4: Showing Errors in a Quotation<\/h3>\n<p>\nWhen using a quotation with a grammatical or spelling error, then include [<em>sic<\/em>] after the error. This tells readers that the mistake is not your own, but it\u2019s from the original source. For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">The final report indicated that \u201cpilot error ways [<em>sic<\/em>] the most likely cause of the crash.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this example, \u201cways\u201d should be \u201cwas.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>If you want to avoid brackets in this particular situation, consider simply paraphrasing in order to avoid using [<em>sic<\/em>]. <\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rule_5_Emphasis\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule 5: Emphasis<\/h3>\n<p>\nSometimes you might want to italicize material in a quotation in order to emphasize that portion of the text. When doing so, be sure to include [emphasis added] to show readers that these italics were not in the original quotation. For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cShe told her students they could miss class only once [emphasis added].\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rule_6_Parenthetical_within_a_Parenthetical\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule 6: Parenthetical within a Parenthetical<\/h3>\n<p>\nWhen there are parentheses within a phrase already surrounded by parentheses, then use brackets to replace those parentheses. For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Cormac McCarthy published several novels (including The Road (2006)).<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nSince the parentheses around 2006 are inside another set of parentheses, we need to change them to brackets.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Cormac McCarthy published several novels (including The Road [2006]).<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nNote that this particular rule may not apply if you are using certain style guides, so be sure to double-check before using brackets in this way.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review<\/h2>\n<p>\nOk, now that we\u2019ve gone over the rules, let\u2019s test your knowledge with a review question:<\/p>\n<p>When should brackets not be used?<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>When indicating clarification in a quotation<\/li>\n<li>When indicating emphasis<\/li>\n<li>When a parenthetical appears within a parenthetical<\/li>\n<li>Interchangeably with parentheses<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is D.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"> Be careful to use brackets and parentheses correctly and not accidentally swap them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nI hope this review was helpful! Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<ul class=\"citelist\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepunctuationguide.com\/brackets.html\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cBrackets | the Punctuation Guide.\u201d n.d.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":186788,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4255","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4255"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":260905,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4255\/revisions\/260905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/186788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}