Brackets: In a paper, use brackets to
signify important information added to direct quotes
. The brackets tell the reader that the information is added to further explain the quote.
Why are square brackets used in quotes?
“Square brackets,” the grammarian said, “are used in direct quotes
when an interpolation [a note from the writer or editor, not uttered by the speaker] is added to provide essential information
.” Despite this, some readers have been complaining that we are using them wrongly, or too much.
Can brackets be used within a quotation?
Bracket Use: Quick Summary
Use
brackets to enclose inserted words intended to clarify meaning within a quotation
. Use parentheses when inserting words into a quotation. Use brackets to enclose inserted words intended to provide a brief explanation within a quotation.
What do empty brackets mean in quotes?
The square brackets around [r] and [them] indicate that these are the writer’s modifications and do not appear in the original source text. In Example 2, the writer has changed the verb tense by removing the “s” from “changes.” Empty square brackets indicate
this change from the original
.
What is a brackets and examples?
Brackets are
typically used to explain or clarify the original text by an editor
. Example: She [Martha] is a great friend of us. In this example “Martha” was not part of the original sentence, and the editor added it for clarification. Many sheeps [ships] left the port.
How do you use brackets correctly?
Rule 1.
Use parentheses to enclose information that clarifies or is used as an aside
. Example: He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand the question. If material in parentheses ends a sentence, the period goes after the parentheses.
When should I use brackets in writing?
- To explain further, correct, or comment within a direct quotation: …
- To alter part of a word, indicating necessary changes from its original form: …
- To replace parentheses within parentheses: …
- To indicate supplemental information within a sentence:
What are square brackets examples?
Square brackets are
used for explanations
. They show that the explanation is not the work of the original author. For example: She said: “If I can’t keep her [her horse], I’ll scream the house down!”
What is the difference between square brackets and parentheses?
Parentheses are punctuation marks that are used to set off information within a text or paragraph. Outside the realm of emoticons, parentheses always come in pairs. Brackets, sometimes called square brackets, are most often used to show that words have been added to a direct quotation. …
What are the straight brackets called?
The four main paired punctuation symbols are the bracket (or square bracket; also called
parenthesis in British English
), the parenthesis (plural: parentheses), the brace (curly bracket in British English), and the inequality sign (pointy bracket).
How do you properly quote?
- If you start by telling who said it, use a comma and then the first quotation mark. …
- If you put the quote first and then tell who said it, use a comma at the end of the sentence, and then the second quotation mark. …
- Punctuation always goes inside the quotation marks if it is a direct quote.
How do you insert a quote?
Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)
How do you explain brackets?
Brackets (parentheses) are
punctuation marks used within a sentence to
include information that is not essential to the main point. Information within parentheses is usually supplementary; were it removed, the meaning of the sentence would remain unchanged.
What are the types of brackets?
- round brackets, open brackets or parentheses: ( )
- square brackets, closed brackets or box brackets: [ ]
- curly brackets, squiggly brackets, swirly brackets, braces, or chicken lips: { }
- angle brackets, diamond brackets, cone brackets or chevrons: < > or ⟨ ⟩
What are different types of brackets used for?
Brackets are symbols used in pairs to group things together. Types of brackets include: parentheses or “round brackets” ( ) “
square brackets
” or “box brackets” [ ]
How do you use multiple brackets in a sentence?
1.
Use brackets inside parentheses to create a double enclosure in the text
. Avoid parentheses within parentheses, or nested parentheses. Correct: (We also administered the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI; Beck, Steer, & Garbin, 1988], but those results are not reported here.)
