what does left parenthesis mean

Parentheses, Braces, and Brackets in Math

How These Symbols Help Determine the Order of Operations

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You'll come across many symbols in mathematics and arithmetic. In fact, the language of math is written in symbols, with some text inserted as needed for clarification. Three important—and related—symbols you'll see often in math are parentheses, brackets , and braces, which you'll encounter frequently in  prealgebra  and  algebra . That's why it's so important to understand the specific uses of these symbols in higher math.

Using Parentheses ( )

Parentheses are used to group numbers or variables, or both. When you see a math problem containing parentheses, you need to use the order of operations to solve it. For example, take the problem: 9 - 5 ÷ (8 - 3) x 2 + 6

For this problem, you must calculate the operation within the parentheses first—even if it's an operation that would normally come after the other operations in the problem. In this problem, the multiplication and division operations would normally come before subtraction (minus), however, since 8 - 3 falls within the parentheses, you'd work out this part of the problem first. Once you've taken care of the calculation that falls within the parentheses, you'd remove them. In this case (8 - 3) becomes 5, so you would solve the problem as follows:

9 - 5 ÷ (8 - 3) x 2 + 6

= 9 - 5 ÷ 5 x 2 + 6

= 9 - 1 x 2 + 6

= 9 - 2 + 6

= 7 + 6

Note that per the order of operations, you'd work what's in the parentheses first, next, calculate numbers with exponents, and then multiply and/or divide, and finally, add or subtract. Multiplication and division, as well as addition and subtraction, hold an equal place in the order of operations, so you work these from left to right.

In the problem above, after taking care of the subtraction in the parentheses, you need to first divide 5 by 5, yielding 1; then multiply 1 by 2, yielding 2; then subtract 2 from 9, yielding 7; and then add 7 and 6, yielding a final answer of 13.

Parentheses Can Also Mean Multiplication

In the problem: 3(2 + 5), the parentheses tell you to multiply. However, you wouldn't multiply until you complete the operation inside the parentheses—2 + 5—so you would solve the problem as follows:

3(2 + 5)

Examples of Brackets [ ]

Brackets are used after the parentheses to group numbers and variables as well. Typically, you'd use the parentheses first, then brackets, followed by braces. Here is an example of a problem using brackets:

 4 - 3[4 - 2(6 - 3)] ÷ 3

= 4 - 3[4 - 2(3)] ÷ 3 (Do the operation in the parentheses first; leave the parentheses.)

= 4 - 3[4 - 6] ÷ 3 (Do the operation in the brackets.)

= 4 - 3[-2] ÷ 3 (The bracket informs you to multiply the number within, which is -3 x -2.)

= 4 + 6 ÷ 3

= 4 + 2

Examples of Braces { }

Braces are also used to group numbers and variables. This example problem uses parentheses, brackets, and braces. Parentheses inside other parentheses (or brackets and braces) are also referred to as " nested parentheses ." Remember, when you have parentheses inside brackets and braces, or nested parentheses, always work from the inside out:

 2{1 + [4(2 + 1) + 3]}

= 2{1 + [4(3) + 3]}

= 2{1 + [12 + 3]}

= 2{1 + [15]}

= 2{16}

Notes About Parentheses, Brackets, and Braces

Parentheses, brackets, and braces are sometimes referred to as "round," "square," and "curly" brackets, respectively. Braces are also used in sets, as in:

{2, 3, 6, 8, 10...}

When working with nested parentheses, the order will always be parentheses, brackets, braces, as follows:

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• Math Glossary: Mathematics Terms and Definitions
• The Associative Property in Math
• What You Need to Know About Consecutive Numbers
• Computations With Fractions
• Multiply Fractions With Common Denominators Worksheets
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• Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
• Sample Standard Deviation Example Problem
• How to Solve a System of Linear Equations
• The Difference Between Combinations and Permutations

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parenthesis

Definition of parenthesis

• discontinuity
• hiccough
• intermission
• interregnum
• interruption

Examples of parenthesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parenthesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, act of inserting, from parentithenai to insert, from para- + en- en- + tithenai to place — more at do

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Dictionary Entries Near parenthesis

parenthesize

Cite this Entry

“Parenthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenthesis. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of parenthesis, more from merriam-webster on parenthesis.

Nglish: Translation of parenthesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of parenthesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parenthesis

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Parenthesis

What is parenthesis.

Table of Contents

Examples of Parenthesis

Parenthesis in apposition, why parenthesis is important.

• Andrew Jacklin (last year's losing finalist) is expected to win this heat.
• The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. (Journalist HL Mencken)

• Paul , on the other hand, is considered extremely trustworthy.
• House prices in Alton , which is only 25 minutes from London, are soaring.
• Mathematics , rightly viewed, possesses not only truth but supreme beauty. (Philosopher Bertrand Russell)
• Dave Bellamy, like his father, Peter Bellamy, last year, was victorious in this year's regional pie-making finals.
• Dave Bellamy (like his father, Peter Bellamy, last year) was victorious in this year's regional pie-making finals.

• They roasted the winning brisket — the size of a pillow — in a mighty clay oven.
• If mankind minus one were of one opinion, then mankind is no more justified in silencing the one than the one — if he had the power — would be justified in silencing mankind. (Philosopher John Stuart Mill)
• Peter , my mate from school, won the lottery.

(Point 1) Choose the right parenthetical punctuation.

(point 2) offset your parenthesis with two parenthetical punctuation marks..

(Point 3) You don't have to offset a short, obvious parenthesis.

• John on the other hand drinks like a fish.
• Control how your parenthesis looks by choosing the most appropriate parenthetical punctuation.
• Remember that parenthetical-punctuation marks come in pairs.
• If your parenthesis is short, consider not using any parenthetical punctuation.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Parenthesis

What is parenthesis.

Parenthesis is a punctuation tool used to provide additional information within a sentence. Parenthesis can be either round brackets, square brackets, or sometimes even braces.

Along with being used to set off comments and explanations in the middle of the sentence, parenthesis can also be used to replace some words in order to shorten the length of the sentence.

Additionally, parenthesis can be very useful when it comes to defining words for readers who are unfamiliar with certain terms.

Parenthesis offers writers a way to convey extra information without interfering with their original sentence structure.

Parenthesis Rules

Learning these four critical rules when using Parenthesis will help communication become clearer and easier. With these four rules firmly entrenched in one’s grammar skillset, any English speaker can properly construct sentences with ease!

Parenthesis Examples

Parentheses sometimes referred to as curved brackets or round brackets, have a multitude of uses in the English language. These punctuation marks provide additional information inside a sentence or phrase, set off aside from the main content of a sentence, or indicate a glossary or definition. Parenthetical examples can come in the form of clarification and further explanation with phrases such as:

• “For example”
• “E.g.” (short for exempli gratia.)
• “Play Ball”

Parentheses can also be used to denote that something is optional such as setting off part of a mathematical equation or marking alternative word choices the author is offering.

Parentheses act like tiny pauses within sentences to make sure readers get all the information being offered before moving on in their reading experience.

Parenthesis Exercises with Answers

Insert parathesis where they belong!

• He finally arrived late at the meeting.
• I ate two sandwiches one with cheese, one without.
• We must act now or else it will be too late.
• He is an old professor he has taught here for twenty years.
• My favourite colour is blue but I’m fond of green too.
• He finally arrived ( late ) at the meeting.
• I ate two sandwiches ( one with cheese, one without ) .
• We must act now ( or else it will be too late ) .
• He is an old professor ( he has taught here for twenty years ) .
• My favourite colour is blue ( but I’m fond of green too ) .

Parenthesis List

Advice for esl students & english language learners.

ESL students and English language learners have the difficult task of mastering a brand new language, and it can seem daunting.

One helpful tip for these students is to always make sure to use parenthesis correctly, as doing so will ensure that a sentence stays clear and coherent.

Parenthesis can often be confusing for those who are new to the English language, but breaking them down into their pieces and understanding how each part contributes to a sentence overall can go a long way in helping to comprehend them better.

Additionally, when it comes to memorizing parenthesis rules and structures, practice makes perfect; take some time every day or week consistently review the material until eventually, parenthesis won’t feel so difficult anymore!

Additionally, it is important for learners to properly understand to use the dash and semicolon .

Common Mistakes Made by English Learners

Learning a new language can be difficult and English can be quite tricky. Many students who are learning English make similar mistakes, especially with grammar. One common error is incorrectly using parenthesis, which can add confusion to the intended meaning of a sentence.

Parenthesis should only be used if there is additional information that does not affect the main point of the sentiment. To help understand when to use parenthesis correctly, it will help to read more examples using parenthesis in different contexts.

Practising with writing sentences and using parenthesis correctly will also build confidence and help to avoid making this common mistake.

Common Mistakes:

1. Incorrect Tense

Why it Happens

Not having a firm grasp on correct punctuation marks can confuse your statements. This can cause you to use the wrong punctuation marks and misconstrue your message.

Correct Use

When speaking English, you would use punctuation marks that reflect the subject in question. Keep context in mind when selecting your punctuation marks.

2. Lack of punctuation marks

The easiest mistake is leaving out punctuation marks when needed. Failing to use these in phrases can lead others to misinterpret what you are trying to express.

Punctuation marks join words together – for example, ‘heavy-handed’ or ‘ever-sure’.

3. Inconsistency

People forget how they described something before and change the context in a contradictory manner. This confuses the reader.

Be sure that your punctuation marks remain consistent throughout your writing. There should be no sudden shifts.

4. Incorrect Usage

You don’t know which punctuation marks to use, so you use too many and it confuses the statement.

Using too many punctuation marks can make your writing sound monotonous and can also lead to viewers losing interest. Therefore it is important to focus on expressing yourself clearly and effectively with them.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes:

• Parenthesis can be a tricky concept for many writers. To avoid common mistakes, remember to use them sparingly and keep the placement clear.
• Parentheses are meant to provide clarity and add detail to your writing; if they are used too often, they can actually drag down the quality of your work.
• When using parenthesis, try to express the information within each one as succinctly as possible without losing any important detail.
• Additionally, always double-check afterward that it is in the right place with respect to other sentence elements like commas or full stops.
• Give yourself time and make sure to proofread: these two steps will give you the best chance of avoiding any missteps in parenthesis usage.

Learning Parenthesis Use Strategies and Best Practices

Parenthesis are a fantastic addition to any writing; they can add humour, clarity, or even emphasis to an idea. Developing effective strategies and best practices for utilizing them can be both a challenge and an accomplishment.

To maximize the potential of parenthetical statements, writers must consider context and purpose instead of solely relying on the use of commas within them.

Knowing when to omit what has been written within parentheses and how to apply their usage appropriately can help transform amateur writing and make it more professional.

Parenthesis provide a great method to offer more information related to main points while also preventing excessive lengthiness of ideas; with this in mind, learning effective strategies and best practices is essential. Keep reading for more useful tips:

Tip 1: Study a List

Why it helps.

Learning the various punctuation marks and using them properly in speaking and writing is easier than it seems with daily practice. A list can simplify this process and make it seem less daunting.

Daily Life Example

The best way to learn to use punctuation marks correctly is to study a list of words and their usage, and then practice writing sentences with them.

Tip 2: Practice Reading

Exposing yourself to punctuation marks hidden between other words can help you identify them faster and with more accuracy.

To ensure that you understand how frequently a type of punctuation mark should be used it’s important to practice reading with them as well, so the meanings become clear. So keep a book of your choice on hand and highlight every punctuation mark you come across.

Tip 3: Everyday Conversations

By applying the punctuation marks exercise to everyday written conversations, you’ll find these words easy to remember and use in the near future.

Take your time when speaking to people. Take note of the grammar they use, and try and repeat them back in different contexts. You can also do this from the comfort of your home by recording yourself or using an AI assistant.

Parenthesis Frequently Asked Questions

Parentheses are a common way to give additional information in a sentence, but they can be easily misused. Here are a few tips to avoid making mistakes when using parentheses:

– Make sure the information in the parentheses is important, but not essential to the understanding of the sentence. If the information can be left out and the sentence still makes sense, then it’s probably okay to use parentheses. – Don’t overuse parentheses. If every other sentence has information in parentheses, it starts to look like you’re trying to hide something. – Parenthetical statements should be as concise as possible. If you find yourself writing a long sentence inside parentheses, it’s probably better to break it up into two separate sentences. – Be careful with punctuation. Parentheses always go outside of any other punctuation marks, unless they contain a full sentence themselves.

Parenthesis are used as an aside within a sentence, to provide extra information. Parentheses appear in pairs – as one cannot be alone – and are usually used when you want to create a slight pause before continuing on after providing the additional details.

An example of parenthesis is: “we took a long road trip (over 1,200 miles!).” Here, the parenthesis indicates details that bring the sentence full circle but can be taken out without changing the meaning of the original sentence.

Parenthesis helps further clarify details that may otherwise alter or confuse the narrative or sentiment of a sentence.

Parentheses are an invaluable tool when it comes to writing, as they can be used to separate extra information or a related side note. As writers, we can express our ideas in a concise and organized way while still adding in important extra details using parenthesis.

Parenthesis is also incredibly helpful when it comes to clarifying jokes and sarcastic remarks – without them, our meaning could easily be lost! It’s also common to see a price in Parenthesis. The term “parenthesis” even has roots of its own; coming from the greek for “to put in beside.” Just like their definition, parenthesis will play an omnipresent role by the side of your writing – bolstering any idea with additional contextual detail. 

Parentheses are symbols typically used in writing for information or explanations that are additional to the main point, opinion, or idea. It is made of a left parenthesis and a closing parenthesis. 

Parenthesis symbols have a variety of applications and can be seen in everyday discourse, media reports, and academic writing. They may be used to add clarity to complex sentences or to set apart a comment that interrupts the continuity of the text as the reader pauses or changes direction in thought.

Parentheses act as visual cues on paper and also help create meaning by highlighting important ideas. Understanding how they function effectively is essential when constructing strong writing arguments and compelling narratives.

Parentheses – sometimes referred to as brackets, parenthetical expressions, a pair of parentheses, or curved marks, are a way for writers to indicate added or supplemental information in a sentence.

Parentheses usually occur around single words, phrases, or sentences that do not fit the overall flow of a paragraph but still provide valuable context and clarification.

Often when using parentheses the writer is adding their own opinion or comment and this additional content can be left out if desired without ruining the sentence as a whole. Parentheses artifacts can also pop up while quoting someone else’s dialogue or written work.

Writers first decide if this action serves their goal of better understanding and then include parenthesis where appropriate and necessary.

There is a wealth of grammar resources to bolster your perfect grammar. This includes proper nouns, English nouns, countable nouns Mark Dimunation, and other grammatical terms.

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• Parentheses () | Definition, Punctuation, Rules & Examples

Parentheses () | Definition, Punctuation, Rules & Examples

Published on April 14, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on November 29, 2022.

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Table of contents

Side-by-side parentheses, nested parentheses.

Sometimes you might need to use two parenthetical elements together—for example, when a sentence contains both an acronym and a citation. Style guides disagree about whether it’s okay to place two (or more) parenthetical asides side by side.

APA style  recommends using a single set of parentheses with a semicolon separating the main elements.

• The results were sorted by gross domestic product (GDP; Odin, 2018).

Chicago  also advises this approach, but allows side-by-side parentheses if their content is entirely unrelated. If you do use two sets of parentheses, put a space between them.

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When you want to enclose a set of parentheses inside another set, most style guides recommend using square brackets for the inner element.

• Several prestigious organizations (e.g., National Institutes of Health (NIH)) supported the initiative.
• Several prestigious organizations (e.g., National Institutes of Health [NIH]) supported the initiative.

In British English , parentheses within parentheses are more acceptable. However, it’s always best to avoid this kind of nesting whenever possible. If you can rephrase the sentence to remove one of the parenthetical elements, this is the best option.

• Several prestigious organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supported the initiative.

When including a citation within a parenthetical element, APA style recommends using commas instead of parentheses or brackets.

• This sort of testing is usually unreliable (as Jenner [2012] took pains to show).
• This sort of testing is usually unreliable (as Jenner, 2012, took pains to show).

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Bryson, S. (2022, November 29). Parentheses () | Definition, Punctuation, Rules & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/parentheses/

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Shane Bryson

Shane finished his master's degree in English literature in 2013 and has been working as a writing tutor and editor since 2009. He began proofreading and editing essays with Scribbr in early summer, 2014.

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What Are The 4 Types Of Brackets?

• Types Of Brackets
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When considering punctuation marks, there are four pairs of marks that may be referred to as a type of bracket. They are parentheses , square brackets , curly brackets , and angle brackets . Of these four, parentheses are by far the most commonly used and are the punctuation marks that most writers are likely most familiar with. Although you may not get many chances yourself to bust out a pair of curly brackets or angle brackets, it doesn’t hurt to learn what they are typically used for so they don’t catch you by surprise.

Types of brackets

Parentheses ().

Let’s look at each of the four different types of brackets, moving from the pair you are most likely to see to the pair you will almost never see (in writing, at least).

Despite being the most commonly used of the four types of brackets, parentheses are still less common than other punctuation marks in formal writing. Most writers will tend to use them sparingly but effectively.

Parentheses have a lot of different uses. One particularly common use is to insert additional but unessential information, such as a writer’s commentary, into a sentence.

• Last year, the first pitch was thrown by Santa Claus (yes, really) .
• Bananas are good for you (and tasty, too) .

Some other information that might be contained within parentheses includes sources, references, abbreviations, acronyms, telephone area codes, and lifespans.

Parentheses examples

• The owners loved dressing their dogs up in funny outfits. (The dogs were much less enthusiastic about it.) 
• The cat population doubled over the past 10 years. (Purrcy and Kitchins, 2005)
• The shuttle was built by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) .
• Edward I of England (1239–1307) was called “Edward Longshanks.”

Know your brackets? Then head over and take our quick quiz on the different types.

Square brackets []

Square brackets , often just called brackets in American English, are typically only used with quotations in formal writing. Square brackets are used to indicate to a reader that the writer added their own words to a quote, added additional context, or otherwise made a change to a quote that wasn’t originally there. The term sic is also often used in a pair of square brackets to indicate that a quote originally had a grammatical error in it, and the writer didn’t make a mistake when reprinting it.

Square bracket examples

The following examples show the different ways that square brackets are typically used with quotations.

• The president said, “He [the Polish ambassador] is a tough negotiator, but I’m confident we will reach an agreement that is best for both countries.”
• The legendary pop singer said that “ [she] would come back [to Miami] every summer if [she] could.”
• My textbook says, “The explorers traveled down the Mississipi [sic] River.”

Curly brackets {}

Curly brackets , also known as braces or curly braces , are rarely used in formal writing and are more common in other fields such as science, math, and computing. Some style guides will allow them to be used for one specific purpose: grouping together a set.

• The pastries {cakes, pies, croissants, danishes} looked delicious.

Informally, curly brackets may also be used to attempt to avoid confusion if a writer is using multiple sets of brackets in the same sentence.

• Clifford (a {very, very} big dog) stomped his way down the street.

Both of these uses, though, are rare and many style guides and grammar resources may not have any formal use for curly brackets in writing. It is entirely possible that you may never read anything that uses curly brackets.

Curly bracket examples

The following examples show how curly brackets might be used. Keep in mind that these sentences may not be considered appropriate in formal writing.

• The circus animals {lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys} were very well trained.
• Madame Mysteria (who I {sadly} never met) was a legendary fortune teller.

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Angle brackets <>

Angle brackets have no formal use in writing, at least in English. In other languages, double sets of angle brackets are sometimes used in place of quotation marks. Like curly brackets, you are much more likely to see angle brackets used in other fields, such as math and computing.

Informally, angle brackets might be used in place of parentheses to insert asides or you might see them used to introduce a website in an older piece of writing.

Angle bracket examples

The following examples show how angle brackets might be used in writing. These examples would typically not be considered appropriate in formal writing.

• The car was both very fast and very pink. << Much too pink if you ask me >>
• If you’re curious, you can find the rest of Chef Baker’s recipes at <www.bakeittillyoumakeit.yum>

Punctuate perfectly with Grammar Coach™

Confused about punctuation and its proper use? The Thesaurus.com Grammar Coach ™ platform makes writing papers, essays, emails, and a whole lot more a whole lot easier. This writing tool uses machine-learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar as well as spelling errors. Its Synonym Swap will find the best nouns, adjectives, and more to help say what you really mean, guiding you toward clearer, stronger, writing.

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Parenthesis

One of the symbols ( or ) used to denote grouping. Parentheses have a great many specialized meanings in mathematics. A few of these are described below.

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Weisstein, Eric W. "Parenthesis." From MathWorld --A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Parenthesis.html

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• Writing Tips

 Simple Grammar: What Do We Mean by “Parenthesis”?

4-minute read

• 31st January 2023

A parenthesis is a word, phrase, or clause that interrupts the text to offer an explanation, digression, or afterthought. Used appropriately, a parenthetical comment (another way to say parenthesis) adds a little needed variety to writing. We offset these types of comments with punctuation because they aren’t essential to the meaning or grammar of the sentence. In this blog post, we’ll focus on how to use parentheses for parenthetical comments in your writing. (Say that five times, as fast as you can!)

Depending on your goals, you might use either round brackets (called parentheses ), commas, or em dashes. For example, any of the following would be correct:

While each of these options has the exact same meaning, the choice of punctuation makes a subtle visual difference. Parentheses are probably the most disruptive, so it’s best to use them sparingly. Overusing parentheses can make formal text look a bit disorganized.

Types of parentheses

“Parenthesis” has two meanings: 1) an interrupting comment in writing and 2) one half of the pair of punctuation marks known as parentheses. Parentheses (the punctuation marks) always come in twos, with an opening parenthesis and a closing parenthesis.

We use round parentheses to indicate an interruption or digression in a sentence. For example:

On the other hand, square brackets indicate that the text within is an addition or clarification by the writer or editor. Brackets are used here to clarify an aspect of an abridged text:

Ways to Use Parentheses

We’ve talked about how parentheses are used to set off nonessential information, such as additional examples, explanations, or asides. We’ve also explained that parentheses sometimes indicate that the text within is a translation, clarification, or comment. But there are a couple of other ways to use parentheses.

Firstly, they are used to enclose citations and references, such as page numbers, in research papers, essays, and other academic writing. This example is of a parenthetical citation in APA referencing style:

This post covers tips on how to punctuate parentheses .

Secondly, parentheses can also be used along with the word “ sic ” to acknowledge a typographical error or that a word is uncertain in a text, such as in this example where “words” is spelled incorrectly:

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Tips for Using Parentheses

• Use parentheses sparingly and only when necessary. Overuse of parentheses can make a sentence difficult to read and understand.
• When using parentheses, make sure that the sentence is clear and coherent without the parenthetical information.
• Be consistent in your use of parentheses and use the same type of parentheses throughout your writing.
• Be aware of the different uses of parentheses, such as round and square brackets, and use them accordingly.

Common Mistakes

●  Overusing parentheses makes sentences difficult to read.

●  Not matching the opening and closing parentheses causes confusion.

●  Putting a comma instead of a closing parenthesis, or vice versa.

●  Forgetting to use the parentheses, causing the sentence to lose its meaning or context.

1. How do I use parentheses to enclose citations and references in academic writing?

When crediting a source used in academic writing, you include essential information within parentheses. This information will vary according to the referencing style used. APA, for example, requires the author’s last name, year of publication, and page number if the reference is a direct quote.

2. How do parentheses differ in formal and informal writing?

Visually, parentheses command a bit more attention than a comma or dash, which means they are easily seen. If you’re going for a more formal feel, commas or dashes might be a better choice.

We hope this overview of parentheses is helpful to you. In summary:

• Parenthesis is additional, non-essential information that interrupts the text.
• Parenthetical information must be offset within the text by parentheses, commas, or dashes.
• Parentheses can be round brackets or square brackets, and these have different purposes.
• Parentheses come in pairs.

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Meaning of parenthesis in English

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• dog whistle
• abbreviated
• block capitals
• curly bracket
• diacritical
• punctuation mark
• scare quotes
• small capitals
• square bracket

parenthesis | American Dictionary

Examples of parenthesis, translations of parenthesis.

Get a quick, free translation!

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• parenthesis
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• American    Noun
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Definition of parenthesis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• parenthesis
• in parenthesis I add, in parenthesis, that I doubt whether such a place exists.
• I should say, in parenthesis, that these figures cannot always be trusted.
• in parenthesis

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

• in parentheses Irregular forms are given in parentheses.
• The numbers outside the parentheses are the sales figures.
• The words in parentheses should be deleted.
• The prices are given in parentheses.
• enclose something in parentheses
• give something in parentheses
• put something in parentheses
• in parentheses
• inside parentheses
• within parentheses

Other results

Nearby words.

Parentheses

Parentheses or "round brackets" are the familiar ( ) symbols used in pairs to group things together.

Example: 5 × (6 − 4) = 5 × 2 = 10

The Parentheses group 6−4 together, telling us to calculate that first.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the pemdas rule: understanding order of operations.

General Education

Everyone who's taken a math class in the US has heard the acronym "PEMDAS" before. But what does it mean exactly? Here, we will explain in detail the PEMDAS meaning and how it's used before giving you some sample PEMDAS problems so you can practice what you've learned.

PEMDAS Meaning: What Does It Stand For?

PEMDAS is an acronym meant to help you remember the order of operations used to solve math problems. It's typically pronounced "pem-dass," "pem-dozz," or "pem-doss."

Here's what each letter in PEMDAS stands for:

• P arentheses
• M ultiplication and D ivision
• A ddition and S ubtraction

The order of letters shows you the order you must solve different parts of a math problem , with expressions in parentheses coming first and addition and subtraction coming last.

Many students use this mnemonic device to help them remember each letter: P lease E xcuse M y D ear A unt S ally .

In the United Kingdom and other countries, students typically learn PEMDAS as BODMAS . The BODMAS meaning is the same as the PEMDAS meaning — it just uses a couple different words. In this acronym, the B stands for "brackets" (what we in the US call parentheses) and the O stands for "orders" (or exponents). Now, how exactly do you use the PEMDAS rule? Let's take a look.

How Do You Use PEMDAS?

PEMDAS is an acronym used to remind people of the order of operations.

This means that you don't just solve math problems from left to right; rather, you solve them in a predetermined order that's given to you via the acronym PEMDAS . In other words, you'll start by simplifying any expressions in parentheses before simplifying any exponents and moving on to multiplication, etc.

But there's more to it than this. Here's exactly what PEMDAS means for solving math problems:

• Parentheses: Anything in parentheses must be simplified first
• Exponents: Anything with an exponent (or square root) must be simplified after everything in parentheses has been simplified
• Multiplication and Division: Once parentheses and exponents have been dealt with, solve any multiplication and division from left to right
• Addition and Subtraction: Once parentheses, exponents, multiplication, and division have been dealt with, solve any addition and subtraction from left to right

If any of these elements are missing (e.g., you have a math problem without exponents), you can simply skip that step and move on to the next one.

Now, let's look at a sample problem to help you understand the PEMDAS rule better:

4 (5 − 3)² − 10 ÷ 5 + 8

You might be tempted to solve this math problem left to right, but that would result in the wrong answer! So, instead, let's use PEMDAS to help us approach it the correct way.

We know that parentheses must be dealt with first. This problem has one set of parentheses: (5 − 3). Simplifying this gives us 2 , so now our equation looks like this:

4 (2)² − 10 ÷ 5 + 8

The next part of PEMDAS is exponents (and square roots). There is one exponent in this problem that squares the number 2 (i.e., what we found by simplifying the expression in the parentheses).

This gives us 2 × 2 = 4. So now our equation looks like this:

4 (4) − 10 ÷ 5 + 8    OR    4 × 4 − 10 ÷ 5 + 8

Next up is multiplication and division from left to right . Our problem contains both multiplication and division, which we'll solve from left to right (so first 4 × 4 and then 10 ÷ 5). This simplifies our equation as follows:

Finally, all we need to do now is solve the remaining addition and subtraction from left to right :

The final answer is 22. Don't believe me? Insert the whole equation into your calculator (written exactly as it is above) and you'll get the same result!

Sample Math Problems Using PEMDAS + Answers

See whether you can solve the following four problems correctly using the PEMDAS rule. We'll go over the answers after.

Sample PEMDAS Problems

11 − 8 + 5 × 6

8 ÷ 2 (2 + 2)

7 × 4 − 10 (5 − 3) ÷ 2²

√25 (4 + 2)² − 18 ÷ 3 (3 − 1) + 2³

Answer Explanations

Here, we go over each problem above and how you can use PEMDAS to get the correct answer.

#1 Answer Explanation

This math problem is a fairly straightforward example of PEMDAS that uses addition, subtraction, and multiplication only , so no having to worry about parentheses or exponents here.

We know that multiplication comes before addition and subtraction , so you'll need to start by multiplying 5 by 6 to get 30:

11 − 8 + 30

Now, we can simply work left to right on the addition and subtraction:

11 − 8 + 30 3 + 30 = 33

This brings us to the correct answer, which is 33 .

#2 Answer Explanation

If this math problem looks familiar to you, that's probably because it went viral in August 2019 due to its ambiguous setup . Many people argued over whether the correct answer was 1 or 16, but as we all know, with math there's (almost always!) only one truly correct answer.

So which is it: 1 or 16?

Let's see how PEMDAS can give us the right answer. This problem has parentheses, division, and multiplication. So we'll start by simplifying the expression in the parentheses, per PEMDAS:

While most people online agreed up until this point, many disagreed on what to do next: do you multiply 2 by 4, or divide 8 by 2?

PEMDAS can answer this question: when it comes to multiplication and division, you always work left to right. This means that you would indeed divide 8 by 2 before multiplying by 4.

It might help to look at the problem this way instead, since people tend to get tripped up on the parentheses (remember that anything next to a parenthesis is being multiplied by whatever is in the parentheses):

Now, we just solve the equation from left to right:

8 ÷ 2 × 4 4 × 4 = 16

The correct answer is 16. Anyone who argues it's 1 is definitely wrong — and clearly isn't using PEMDAS correctly!

#3 Answer Explanation

Things start to get a bit trickier now.

This math problem has parentheses, an exponent, multiplication, division, and subtraction. But don't get overwhelmed — let's work through the equation, one step at a time.

First, per the PEMDAS rule, we must simplify what's in the parentheses :

7 × 4 − 10 (2) ÷ 2²

Easy peasy, right? Next, let's simplify the exponent :

7 × 4 − 10 (2) ÷ 4

All that's left now is multiplication, division, and subtraction. Remember that with multiplication and division, we simply work from left to right:

7 × 4 − 10 (2) ÷ 4 28 − 10 (2) ÷ 4 28 − 20 ÷ 4 28 − 5

Once you've multiplied and divided, you just need to do the subtraction to solve it:

28 − 5 = 23

This gives us the correct answer of 23 .

#4 Answer Explanation

This problem might look scary, but I promise it's not! As you long as you approach it one step at a time using the PEMDAS rule , you'll be able to solve it in no time.

Right away we can see that this problem contains all components of PEMDAS : parentheses (two sets), exponents (two and a square root), multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. But it's really no different from any other math problem we've done.

First, we must simplify what's in the two sets of parentheses:

√25 (6)² − 18 ÷ 3 (2) + 2³

Next, we must simplify all the exponents — this includes square roots, too :

5 (36) − 18 ÷ 3 (2) + 8

Now, we must do the multiplication and division from left to right:

5 (36) − 18 ÷ 3 (2) + 8 180 − 18 ÷ 3 (2) + 8 180 − 6 (2) + 8 180 − 12 + 8

Finally, we solve the remaining addition and subtraction from left to right:

180 − 12 + 8 168 + 8 = 176

This leads us to the correct answer of 176 .

What's Next?

Another math acronym you should know is SOHCAHTOA. Our expert guide tells you what the acronym SOHCAHTOAH means and how you can use it to solve problems involving triangles .

Studying for the SAT or ACT Math section? Then you'll definitely want to check out our ultimate SAT Math guide / ACT Math guide , which gives you tons of tips and strategies for this tricky section.

Interested in really big numbers? Learn what a googol and googolplex are , as well as why it's impossible to write one of these numbers out.

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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What is Eid al-Fitr? What to know about the Muslim holiday at the end of Ramadan

As Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims are getting ready to commemorate the month of fasting, spirituality and reflection.

Eid Al-Fitr, Arabic for “the celebration of breaking the fast," is expected to fall on or around Wednesday, April 10, this year. The holiday starts once the crescent moon signifying the start of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic Hijri calendar is spotted.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and spend time in self-reflection and prayer.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr marks the first day Muslims return to their regular lifestyles . In fact, it's forbidden to fast on this day.

"God has given us that one special day for us to celebrate our ability to get through that one month," Khalid Mozaffar, director of communications and outreach at the American Islamic Association in Frankfort, Illinois, told USA TODAY. 

What do Muslims do on Eid al-Fitr?

The Eid prayer is a cornerstone of celebration. Muslims will congregate in their local mosques in the early hours of the first day of Eid to perform this prayer.

Muslims are also obligated to pay Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory charity of food that must be given before the Eid prayer.

Every Muslim who can afford to do so is required to donate what is roughly a plate of food.

The donations help people celebrate Eid no matter their financial situation, Tareq Alkhudari, a Kuwaiti human rights activist, told USA TODAY.

Since it's difficult for many people to give an actual plate of food, many Muslims may choose to donate to charity organizations, like Islamic Relief , that have estimated the cost of a plate of food, which will feed those in need on their behalf.

How else do they celebrate?

Eid celebrations all across the globe vary, but it's not uncommon for families to get dressed up in their best clothes, have a nice small breakfast together and spend the day visiting relatives and friends.

Muslims will wish each other "Eid Mubarak, " or a blessed holiday.

Family members exchange gifts or money, sometimes called "Eidi". It's also not uncommon for community members to give out "eidi" to the young children in their communities.

The holiday is celebrated across the globe and different cultures have their traditions and customs for the joyous occasion, including unique dishes and sweets made just for the celebration.

Contributing: Maria Jimenez Moya