Adding Parenthetical Information within Parentheses

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 15 views

Brackets are a crucial punctuation mark in writing, used to provide additional information, clarify quotes, and indicate changes to original text. In this article, we will explore the various ways brackets can be used in writing, including adding parenthetical information, showing added information in quotations, and indicating formatting changes.

Adding Parenthetical Information within Parentheses

One of the primary uses of brackets is to add parenthetical information within parentheses. Parentheses are used to enclose information that is not essential to the main sentence, but provides additional context or explanation. Brackets are used to indicate that the information within the parentheses is not part of the original text, but rather an addition made by the writer.

For example:

"The company (which was founded in 1990) has been successful in its endeavors." In this sentence, the information within the parentheses is added by the writer to provide additional context.
"The book (written by John Smith) is a bestseller." Again, the information within the parentheses is added by the writer to provide additional context.

Showing that Information has been Added to a Quotation

Brackets are also used to show that information has been added to a quotation. When quoting someone, it's essential to indicate what information has been added by the writer to provide clarity or context. Brackets are used to enclose the added information, making it clear that it's not part of the original quote.

For example:

"The president said, 'We will do everything in our power to help those affected by the disaster.' (This statement was made in a press conference on January 10th.)" In this example, the information within the brackets is added by the writer to provide additional context.
"The company's CEO stated, 'We are committed to making a positive impact on the environment.' (This statement was made in a speech at the annual shareholders meeting.)" Again, the information within the brackets is added by the writer to provide additional context.

Indicating Formatting has been Added to a Quotation

Brackets are also used to indicate that formatting has been added to a quotation. When quoting someone, it's essential to indicate what formatting changes have been made to the original text. Brackets are used to enclose the formatting changes, making it clear that they're not part of the original quote.

For example:

"The author wrote, 'The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky.' (Original text: 'The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky.') The added information within the brackets indicates that the formatting has been changed to make the text more readable."
"The politician stated, 'We will do everything in our power to help those affected by the disaster.' (Original text: 'We will do everything in our power to help those affected by the disaster.') The added information within the brackets indicates that the formatting has been changed to make the text more readable."

Best Practices for Using Brackets

When using brackets in writing, it's essential to follow best practices to ensure clarity and accuracy. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Use brackets to add parenthetical information within parentheses, show added information in quotations, and indicate formatting changes.
Make sure to indicate what information has been added by the writer to provide additional context.
Use brackets to enclose the added information, making it clear that it's not part of the original text.
Be consistent in your use of brackets throughout the text.
Avoid using brackets to add unnecessary information or to change the meaning of the original text.

Conclusion

Brackets are a crucial punctuation mark in writing, used to provide additional information, clarify quotes, and indicate changes to original text. However, many writers are unsure about how to use brackets effectively. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about brackets to help writers understand their proper use.

Q: What is the difference between parentheses and brackets?

A: Parentheses and brackets are both used to enclose information that is not essential to the main sentence. However, parentheses are used to enclose information that is not part of the original text, while brackets are used to enclose information that is added by the writer to provide additional context or explanation.

Q: When should I use brackets?

A: You should use brackets when you need to add parenthetical information within parentheses, show added information in quotations, or indicate formatting changes. Brackets are also used to enclose information that is not part of the original text, but rather an addition made by the writer.

Q: How do I use brackets to add parenthetical information?

A: To use brackets to add parenthetical information, simply enclose the information within the brackets. For example:

"The company (which was founded in 1990) has been successful in its endeavors."
"The book (written by John Smith) is a bestseller."

Q: How do I use brackets to show added information in quotations?

A: To use brackets to show added information in quotations, simply enclose the added information within the brackets. For example:

"The president said, 'We will do everything in our power to help those affected by the disaster.' (This statement was made in a press conference on January 10th.)"
"The company's CEO stated, 'We are committed to making a positive impact on the environment.' (This statement was made in a speech at the annual shareholders meeting.)"

Q: How do I use brackets to indicate formatting changes?

A: To use brackets to indicate formatting changes, simply enclose the formatting changes within the brackets. For example:

"The author wrote, 'The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky.' (Original text: 'The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky.') The added information within the brackets indicates that the formatting has been changed to make the text more readable."
"The politician stated, 'We will do everything in our power to help those affected by the disaster.' (Original text: 'We will do everything in our power to help those affected by the disaster.') The added information within the brackets indicates that the formatting has been changed to make the text more readable."

Q: Can I use brackets to add unnecessary information?

A: No, you should not use brackets to add unnecessary information. Brackets are used to provide additional context or explanation, not to add unnecessary information. If you need to add information that is not essential to the main sentence, use parentheses instead.

Q: Can I use brackets to change the meaning of the original text?

A: No, you should not use brackets to change the meaning of the original text. Brackets are used to provide additional context or explanation, not to change the meaning of the original text. If you need to change the meaning of the original text, use a different sentence or phrase instead.

Q: Are there any other punctuation marks that can be used in place of brackets?

A: Yes, there are other punctuation marks that can be used in place of brackets, such as parentheses and dashes. However, brackets are the most commonly used punctuation mark for adding parenthetical information, showing added information in quotations, and indicating formatting changes.

Conclusion

Brackets are a versatile punctuation mark used to provide additional information, clarify quotes, and indicate changes to original text. By understanding how to use brackets effectively, writers can create clear and accurate text that provides value to readers. Whether adding parenthetical information, showing added information in quotations, or indicating formatting changes, brackets are an essential tool in the writer's toolkit.