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English Tip of the Week
 Parentheses
Parentheses indicate that the writer feels that the material contained within is of less importance or should be deemphasized.
Rule: Use parentheses to enclose words or figures that clarify or are used as an aside.
Example: I expect five hundred dollars ($500).
Example: He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand the question.
Rule: Use commas, not parentheses, around an interruption to indicate it is of equal importance with the rest of the sentence.
Example: He finally answered, after taking five minutes to think, that he did not understand the question.
Rule: Use Em dashes around an interruption that you wish to emphasize.
Example: He finally answered—after taking five minutes to think—that he did not understand the question.
You really can "hear" the differences in tone just by the choice of punctuation, can't you?
Rule: Use full parentheses to enclose numbers of listed items in a sentence.
Example: We need an emergency room physician who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat patients respectfully, and (3) handle complaints from the public.
Note: You may also use a period with numbers: (1.) think quickly, (2.) treat…
Just be consistent within your document.
Rule: Periods go inside parentheses if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses.
Examples:
Please read the analysis (I enclosed it as Attachment A.).
OR
Please read the analysis. (I enclosed it as Attachment A.)
OR
Please read the analysis (Attachment A).
Quiz
Place parentheses where needed.
1. She requested actually she pleaded that her name be withheld.
2. This contract guarantees that we will 1 deliver the merchandise and 2 pay for all damaged goods.
Answers
1. She requested (actually she pleaded) that her name be withheld.
2. This contract guarantees that we will (1) deliver the merchandise and (2) pay for all damaged goods.
To learn more about parentheses and test your skills with a FREE quiz, click here.
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 Wordplay
Rumor Has It...
There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: abstemious, facetious.
Typewriter is the longest word that can be made using the letters on only one row of the keyboard.
Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Tell your colleagues (and boss), children, teachers, and friends. Click here to watch.
Humor by Steven Wright
Comedian Steven Wright has a unique way of looking at life. I thought you might enjoy some of his gems, so I'm adding them to the E-Newsletter for a few weeks.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.
I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met.
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