April 22, 2009
All about brackets
No, I’m not talking about the brackets we filled in last month during the NCAA basketball tournament. I’m referring to the much more useful (albeit less exciting) punctuation marks [ ].
Also known as “box brackets” or “square brackets,” these marks are primarily used to enclose editorial inserts in direct quotes.
For example:
“I thought that it [the party] was a huge success!”
Brackets containing the word “sic” (Latin for “thus”) indicate that a misspelling or misuse of language in a direct quote is in fact what was written (even though it is incorrect).
For example:
“My travels brought me to Egypt, Libia [sic], and Tunisia.”
When nested parentheses are needed, brackets are used with their rounded relatives.
For example:
(John Adams [1735-1826] and Samuel Adams were second cousins.)
Brackets are also used in math, chemistry, and computer programming.
Know of any other usage for this square pair? Please share.
Filed by rebecca at 6:26 pm under Grammar guide
Hmmm. Actually, I can’t think of any other use. You’ve covered the ones I use and have seen most often. Wait — they’re used to insert an original publication date in references, bibliographies, and such, too, when you’re citing a later edition….
Excellent addition. Thanks, Steph! We sure make a good grammar team.
Do you call these guys “brackets” or “square brackets” up in Canada?
You forgot to mention using brackets to make Smiley faces on Blog comments.
Like, DUH.
What was I thinking?! Good call, Friar.
(And here I thought you’d come up with some complicated engineering use for brackets.)
But, you know, I think my blog only accepts parentheses () for smileys — not square brackets [].
I don’t use square brackets for smileys. ROFL, I just went to try it and I don’t even know where the square brackets are on the keyboard. Just a sec. Ah, under the squiggly brackets! :] as compared to
Hmmmm… I think I like the square brackets. That Friar, always coming up with a better mousetrap.
Have you done ‘whoever’ versus ‘whomever’ yet? If not, would you please?
Ha! See, the ) made a real face, but I still like :]
Okay…I can be an Engineer Geek too.
Bit of bracket trivia:
If your calculator uses Reverse Polish notation, you don’t need brackets.
(My Hewlett-Packard 15C is like that…damned fine calculator. I’ve had it since 1985).
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go empty out my pocket protector.
Panther: Yes, I like :] too. He seems a bit more smug than this guy :).
I have not covered who vs. whom, but I will be happy to on your request. That’s a toughie that a lot of us struggle with in grammar.
Friar aka Engineer Geek: LOL. I knew you had it in you! So have you lined up for the Star Trek movie yet? ;]
Yeah…I’m not a major Trekkie geek, but I still WILL have to go see the latest movie. I’m hoping to drag Brett along.
Though I still prefer the Wrath of Khan. It was on last night…it’s still the best of the series, I think.
“KHAAAAAAAN!”
I’m not a Trekkie geek either, but I’m a huge J.J. Abrams fan, so I’ll probably see the movie too. Never seen The Wrath of Khan, but you’ve intrigued me …