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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Correct Punctuation within Parentheses
Hello all,
I have a question that is not addressed in any section that I've perused so far, here or elsewhere. I know that punctuation normally goes outside of the parentheses (like this). (However, if the entire sentence goes inside, then keep the punctuation inside as well.) The exception to this is when a question mark or an exclamation mark (dang it!) is necessary. My question comes from this last rule. What if that is the end of the sentence, as follows?
In the end, everyone felt better about each other (even if certain members wanted to kill certain others!)
Everything I've seen so far indicates that there should be an extra period outside of the closed parenthesis (since the exclamation mark pertains only to the parenthetical material), but I'm loathe to do it. Is there a rule about this? Please help!
Yours,
Mark
I have a question that is not addressed in any section that I've perused so far, here or elsewhere. I know that punctuation normally goes outside of the parentheses (like this). (However, if the entire sentence goes inside, then keep the punctuation inside as well.) The exception to this is when a question mark or an exclamation mark (dang it!) is necessary. My question comes from this last rule. What if that is the end of the sentence, as follows?
In the end, everyone felt better about each other (even if certain members wanted to kill certain others!)
Everything I've seen so far indicates that there should be an extra period outside of the closed parenthesis (since the exclamation mark pertains only to the parenthetical material), but I'm loathe to do it. Is there a rule about this? Please help!
Yours,
Mark
Top answer
Hi Guest, Welcome to the forum. I encourage you to register, though it is not required. ) Yes, I tend to think that a period is required too.
- Hi Guest, Welcome to the forum.
- I encourage you to register, though it is not required.
- ) Yes, I tend to think that a period is required too.
- And I can see why you are loathe to do it.
- If it were me, I'd simply rewrite your sentence.
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29 Answers
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Hi Guest,
Welcome to the forum. I encourage you to register, though it is not required.
Yes, I tend to think that a period is required too. And I can see why you are loathe to do it.
If it were me, I'd simply rewrite
Welcome to the forum. I encourage you to register, though it is not required.
In the end, everyone felt better about each other (even if certain members wanted to kill certain others!)
Yes, I tend to think that a period is required too. And I can see why you are loathe to do it.
If it were me, I'd simply rewrite
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Thanks MountainHiker
I seem to be having some problems with logging in (clicking on the LOG IN button simply refreshes the screen), so I'll post as a Guest again.
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who just can't seem to be able to find any rules about this. The problem is, I have to use the parentheses because, in fact, I'm trying to demonstrate how punctuation within parent
I seem to be having some problems with logging in (clicking on the LOG IN button simply refreshes the screen), so I'll post as a Guest again.
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who just can't seem to be able to find any rules about this. The problem is, I have to use the parentheses because, in fact, I'm trying to demonstrate how punctuation within parent
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Can anyone else find any rules pertaining to this or know it first-hand? Any help would be much appreciated.
Yours,
Mark
Yours,
Mark
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In the end, everyone felt better about each other (even if certain members wanted to kill certain others!) .
You should never, ever, punctuate a sentence like that.
Furthermore, parentheses look ugly and slow down reading. Prefer the humble comma or rebuild the sentence.
You should never, ever, punctuate a sentence like that.
Furthermore, parentheses look ugly and slow down reading. Prefer the humble comma or rebuild the sentence.
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Thanks for your comments, matthewg. I wonder, however, if you could actually point me to some rule or convention rather than simply telling me never, ever to do that. And, actually, I'm not quite sure what "that" is--is that a space then a period after the closing parenthesis? My original sentence had nothing after the closing parenthesis. And while I agree that sometimes parentheses slow down re
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Hi Mark,
I think you worst fears are confirmed, at least by one person.
But if the parenthetical sentence ends with a question mark or exclamation point, put a period after the closing parenthesis (here's another example!).
Source: Garbl's Writing Center: Style Manual
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Hi,
I've looked through three books, Cochrane's Between you and I, Bryson's Troublesome Words, and The Times Style Guide. None of them give any set rules, just stylistic preferences, but the general preference is to put the final punctuation mark inside the parentheses, and none outside.
The advice that Garbl offers is misdirected. First, he recommends that one should not capt
I've looked through three books, Cochrane's Between you and I, Bryson's Troublesome Words, and The Times Style Guide. None of them give any set rules, just stylistic preferences, but the general preference is to put the final punctuation mark inside the parentheses, and none outside.
The advice that Garbl offers is misdirected. First, he recommends that one should not capt
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Hi Matthewg,
Actually, I agree with Garbl.
I think he is advocating not to capitalize the first letter for aesthetic reasons. If parenthetic sentences are capitalized, then the eye is confused when reading. Remember, people usually read at a fast pace (especially in today's business environment).
1) But if we were to suddently capitalize phrases or even sentences w
Actually, I agree with Garbl.
I think he is advocating not to capitalize the first letter for aesthetic reasons. If parenthetic sentences are capitalized, then the eye is confused when reading. Remember, people usually read at a fast pace (especially in today's business environment).
1) But if we were to suddently capitalize phrases or even sentences w
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I do not think the first letter should be capitalised either.
Consistency is the most important aspect of style, and that is why rules should be kept as simple as possible. That's why the books I referenced recommend always putting the final punctuation mark just before closing the parentheses. One rule, and not a jumble of them that cross-reference each other, that always works,
Consistency is the most important aspect of style, and that is why rules should be kept as simple as possible. That's why the books I referenced recommend always putting the final punctuation mark just before closing the parentheses. One rule, and not a jumble of them that cross-reference each other, that always works,
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mattewg,
I don't do it that way, and that runs completely counter to my experience.
Look at sentence 1 by [url="
That's why the books I referenced recommend always putting the final punctuation mark just before closing the parentheses.
I don't do it that way, and that runs completely counter to my experience.
Look at sentence 1 by [url="
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