Parentheses

For any pair of parentheses (( )) in a sentence, place a space before the first parenthesis and a space after the second parenthesis, unless the second parenthesis is followed by an element of punctuation.
• I wanted her to accompany me to the party (she always makes a great first impression), but she had other plans that evening.
• At the center of our discussion (the one we had last night) was the idea that “someone’s irresponsibility becomes someone else’s responsibility” (which he acknowledged to be a fact).
• Bring me those scissors (the blue ones) and I’ll cut this. (correct)
• Bring me those scissors(the blue ones) and I’ll cut this. (incorrect—put a space before the first parenthesis)
• Bring me those scissors (the blue ones)and I’ll cut this. (incorrect—put a space after the second parenthesis)
• Bring me those scissors ( the blue ones ) and I’ll cut this. (incorrect—no space after the first parenthesis or before the second parenthesis)
Use parentheses to set off words, phrases, clauses, or sentences which are used by way of explanation, translation, or comment, but which are independent constructions.
• Carlos wanted a red car (a Corvette).
• Take this over to that girl (the one in the front row with the red hair) and tell her to read it.
• Alexis retook the test after school. (She had failed it the first time.)
1. When using parentheses with other punctuation marks, punctuate the main part of the sentence as if the parenthetical portion was not there. A punctuation mark comes after the second parenthesis if the punctuation mark applies to the whole sentence and not just to the parenthetical portion.
  • Suzanne has three pets (two birds and a dog), which she left with her boyfriend when she went home for the holidays.
  • Did they buy that big house (the one with the two-car garage)?
2. Place the punctuation mark inside the second parenthesis if the punctuation mark applies only to material within the parenthetical portion.
  • I heard that it was an emergency. (Did they get there in time?) He should have been more careful.
Use parentheses to enclose a number, letter, or symbol when used as an appositive, which defines or identifies another word or group of words.
• There were eight (8) new rules added to the club’s bylaws at the last meeting.
• The Greek letter delta (δ) often is used in mathematics to indicate a “derivative.”
• Be sure to include a copyright (©) symbol in that statement.
Parentheses may be used to enclose the area code of a phone number.
• (800)455-3313

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