Understanding the Differences Between Round Brackets and Square Brackets in English Grammar

In English grammar, round brackets (also known as parentheses) and square brackets serve different purposes. Understanding these differences can help maintain clarity and ensure the integrity of your written and quoted material. This article will delve into the specific uses and examples of both round and square brackets.

Round Brackets (Parentheses)

Use: Round brackets, also known as parentheses, are used to enclose additional information, clarifications, or afterthoughts that are not essential to the main point of the sentence. The information within these brackets can be safely removed without altering the primary message of the sentence. This can include additional details, comments from the author, or supplementary information.

Example:

She finally answered after taking a long pause that she would come to the party.

In this example, the phrase 'after taking a long pause' is additional information that provides context but is not essential to the main point of the sentence. Without this information, the sentence would still convey the same core message.

Square Brackets

Use: Square brackets are primarily used to include explanatory or additional information within quoted material. They indicate that the enclosed text has been added by someone other than the original speaker or writer. This is often done to clarify what was said or to provide context that was not originally included.

Example:

The witness stated, “He [the defendant] was at the scene of the crime.”

In this example, the word 'defendant' is added within the square brackets. This indicates that 'defendant' is a clarification or additional detail added by the editor or writer, not part of the original quote.

Additional Information About Parentheses and Brackets

According to Oxford Dictionaries, parentheses are especially useful for providing side information that is not essential to the main understanding of the sentence. One example given is the use of parentheses to provide a comment by the writer:

He'd clearly had too much to drink, not that I blamed him.

In this sentence, the comment 'not that I blamed him' is enclosed in parentheses, indicating that it is an additional thought from the writer and not part of the original speaker's statement.

Square Brackets in the Context of Quotes

When using square brackets, it is important to place a period outside the brackets if they are the last piece of punctuation in the sentence:

Their eventual decision to settle in the United States [Debbie’s home] was well received.

In this example, the phrase '[Debbie’s home]' is added to provide context. The period is placed outside the brackets to maintain proper punctuation.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between round brackets and square brackets is crucial for maintaining clarity in your writing. Round brackets are for non-essential information, while square brackets are for modifications or clarifications within quotes. Proper use of these punctuation marks can significantly enhance the readability and accuracy of your text.